Shillong, Sept 13: The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) government is making efforts to increase its energy efficiency and minimise power losses during transmission in order to improve the overall power scenario and lessen financial burden on the state, said power minister Abu Taher Mondal on Thursday.
He was reacting to media query on the recent CAG report, which had revealed around 65% (₹371.17 crore) of the total loss (₹572.28 crore) incurred by state PSEs during 2023-23 was recorded by two power sector SPSEs – Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL) and Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL).
Stating that “it’s not an easy thing” (to overcome the losses) he pointed out that “…even in other states also it is a similar situation.”
“There are a lot of issues of concern (such as A&TC losses, outstanding dues of consumers etc),” he said.
Explaining the government efforts to minimise the loss and increase energy efficiency, he said, “We are working on it…situation is better.”
The power minister also defended the need to buy power, even at higher cost, saying, “The chief minister’s target is to see that electricity is provided to consumers uninterruptedly… (otherwise) just imagine how could the roads, hospitals, schools, colleges be constructed.”
“We are working on reforms in the three entities (power SPSEs),” he said.
However, he referred to challenges, saying, “It is not that overnight we will do it” but expressed optimism that the government would be able to revive MeECL.
Asserting improvements in MeECL in the last two years, he said, “I am thankful to the chief minister because without his support and guidance it would not have been possible because the finance department is giving us all the resources that we required.”
He claimed growth of professionalism in MeECL functioning, saying, “Cyclone Remal had destroyed our transmission lines, and very swiftly and competently MeECL restored these lines.”
The power minister, meanwhile, asserted that there was no loadshedding by MeECL even for a single minute and that the power disruptions/cuts were because of shutdown for maintenance work or damage caused to transformers or pin insulators etc.
“Shutdown is required for maintenance especially on Saturday morning,” he said.
On whether MeECL is considering downsizing the number of employees, Mondal said there had been no decision to that effect so far.
“Rather, we need some more engineers, junior engineers and even staff like jugalis,” he said.
He lamented that due to financial constraints the MeECL was not able to overcome its manpower shortage.
