NE power ministers seek greater central aid for grid modernisation

AIZAWL, AUG 26 (PTI): Power ministers of the Northeastern states have sought greater financial assistance from the Centre for modernising the regional power grid and implementing key projects to improve electricity supply, an official statement said on Wednesday.
The demand was raised at a meeting with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on Tuesday. The delegation was led by North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC) chairman and Meghalaya power minister Metbah Lyngdoh and included Mizoram power minister F Rodingliana, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and senior officials from the northeastern states.
The ministers urged the Centre to provide funds for grid modernisation and special assistance for projects submitted under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF), following changes in the scheme’s implementation.
They also highlighted priority projects, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Energy Management System (EMS) and Emergency Restoration System (ERS), and sought central support for their implementation.
The ministers apprised Khattar of difficulties faced by the Northeastern states in executing power infrastructure projects due to the region’s challenging terrain. They said long transmission lines are often required to supply electricity to remote and scattered settlements, making reliable power supply difficult, and stressed the need for additional substations in far-flung areas.
Rodingliana urged the Centre to formulate a mechanism for transparent and effective utilisation of the 10 per cent Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) earmarked for the Northeast by 54 Union ministries. He also sought a larger allocation from the GBS for power-sector development in the region.
Khattar said he would take up the funding requirements with the Union Finance Minister. However, he noted that the Centre may not be able to bear the entire cost of all proposed projects and states would also have to contribute. Their capacity to contribute would have to be assessed before a comprehensive proposal is prepared and pursued with the Ministry of Finance.
Khattar also urged states to expedite smart-meter installation and stressed the need for “check meters” to help consumers verify and understand smart-meter readings. He called for sustained efforts to reduce transmission losses and promote commercialisation in the power sector wherever feasible.
The NERPC was constituted under the Ministry of Power in accordance with the Electricity Act, 2003, and comprises the seven Northeastern states. Its chairmanship rotates among member states. Meghalaya currently holds the chairmanship, while Mizoram is scheduled to take over in the next term.