Govt works out solution to reduce load shedding: Power Minister

Shillong, May 10: Power Minister James K Sangma on Friday said the government was working out a solution to reduce the amount of load shedding in the state.

“We are in discussion with both MeECL and NEEPCO and hopefully will be able to work out something soon,” Sangma told reporters.

He said the government understood the kind of difficulties faced by the people because of the constant load shedding.

Sangma informed that the MeECL owes over Rs 600 crore to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), due to which it has decided to regulate power supply to the state.

“The reason for this is also because the government is also facing many financial problems and till the time NEEPCO continues to regulate power supply load shedding will carry on in the state,” he added.

When asked, he said the government is coming up with not just long term but also medium and short term solutions to address the power crisis in the state while pointing out that there is no problem that can be solved with a quick fixed solution.

On the thermal power project in the state, the minister said the project is not feasible in the state in view of the ban on coal mining imposed by the NGT.