Central Government Stresses Power Sector Development In Northeast

GUWAHATI: “Development of north-eastern India is on high priority of the Central Government and a well-developed Power sector is the prerequisite to the economic development in these States,” said RK Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Singh was speaking at the meeting of Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of Power of the north-eastern States in Guwahati on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by the senior officers of the Power Ministry and the representatives of the electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS), stated a release.

In his opening address, the Minister recalled the achievements made during the past 3-4 years in the Power sector. However, he cautioned that concerted efforts will have to be made to make the system sustainable. In order to redeem our pledge for 24/7 power, we will have to reduce the losses and make the DISCOMS viable. He cited the example of some of States which had huge commercial losses but have been able to bring down the losses to 15% or below.

He urged the NE States to adopt smart and prepaid meters to avoid power theft. He assured all the assistance from the Central Government to the State Governments in creating power infrastructure in the NE States. The Union Minister further stated that grant for Central Government schemes will be made available to only those States who undertake reforms for reduction of losses and other nagging issues of the sector.

North East India has a huge hydro potential and the State Governments have a major role in hydro-projects by way of facilitating land acquisition and implementing the resettlement and rehabilitation plans. He assured full support for development of hydro-power in the region and called upon all stakeholders to work in close coordination so as to optimally harness the hydro potential. Development of hydro projects in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh had contributed to the prosperity of those States. Similarly, the NE States can reap long-term benefits from the developed hydro projects.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed various Power sector schemes and projects under implementation in the north-eastern States, such as, Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) and R-APDRP. He noted the gaps and directed concerned agencies to speed up the completion of pending work and advised State Governments to extend necessary help in getting statutory clearances. It may be noted that new projects worth Rs.1797.43 crore have been sanctioned under IPDS for the region. The Minister thanked the States for their cooperation in implementation of the schemes and projects and assured of full support in future in this regard.

On this occasion, a power purchase agreement was also signed between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and NHPC Limited for supply of power from 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project.

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