Minister for Power, C Kipili Sangtam, indicated that there was a need to reform the whole power sector of the state to enable steady power supply throughout the state.
Speaking at the inaugural programme of office building of electrical division, Chumukedima Saturday, at electrical colony, ward No.5 Chumukedima, Sangtam, called for an urgency to transform the power sector in Nagaland and expressed happiness to learn that officers were ready to bring change in this sector for the benefit of the people.
Sangtam while pointing out Dimapur and Chumukedima as the two important commercial zones for the state power department, said reformation of the department should start from Chumukedima and Dimapur.
Though many projects for power generation and distribution have been pending due to poor budgetary allocations, he said. As per the sectoral outlays for annual plan of various departments in the state for the last few years, Kipili regretted that the share of power department was not coming in the top ten list even though department of power has been regarded as a major department and has the responsibility to serve the people.
He claimed that it was now time to give special attention to power sector because power was related to industrial, social and economic development. He assured not to leave any stone unturned to give a boost to the vibrant sector.
Sangtam also requested the officials of the department to play their part and show utmost sincerity, dedication in starting the reformation process so that the people of Nagaland including even those in the remote corner of the state enjoy good quality power supply.
Delivering short speech, department of Power engineer-in-chief Er. G. Chishi maintained that various departmental offices could not be constructed till date. In this regard, he requested the concerned authority and government to look after the unconstructed buildings of the department and offices. He said that if funds were allocated the department would be able to do the necessary work.
He also congratulated the department for the inauguration of the new building.
Lamenting on the infrastructure of the department, commissioner and secretary, Power and IT&C, KD Vizo said that the infrastructure of the department was one of the most neglected yet when it came to budget generation in the state, power department was considered as a major department. However, he said that in comparison with other departments as per project-wise, it was considered as a small department. He congratulated all officers and staffs for being able to reach into all nook and corners of the state.
Vizo appealed to the public leaders to voice out to analyse the power tapping since the department has been unable to move forward due to the problems related to it. He further asked them to help the department to provide quality power to all the state.
Regarding the new building, he requested all the staff to make proper use of the office.
Earlier during the programme chaired by department of Power, chief engineer (D&R) Er. Khose Sale, he urged the consumers of Chumukedima to make use of the online payment system. He disclosed that out of seven thousand consumers of power in Chumukedima, only 136 had been utilizing the consumer’s online payment. He also maintained that the power consumers in Chumukedima area have a due of Rs. 31.5 crore accumulated over the years.