Shillong: State-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) has lifted the regulation of power supply to Meghalaya after the State government has assured to clear the outstanding dues in three instalments.
Following the NEEPCO decision to lift the regulation, Power Minister James Sangma informed through his micro-blogging site that there will be no more load shedding from 2 p.m. onwards.
“I am happy to inform that due to concerted efforts of Power Department, Chairman cum Managing Director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and constant support and guidance of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, NEEPCO has withdrawn Power regulation on Tuesday,” Sangma said.
Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) resorted to load shedding with effect from midnight of March 20 following power regulation imposed by NEEPCO due to non-payment of Rs 504.41 crore.
In fact, Meghalaya has paid Rs 127.54 crore to NEEPCO on March 19 from Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) towards liquidation of the outstanding dues
However, NEEPCO Executive Director (Commercial),N.K. Mao maintained that further course of action by NEEPCO will be guided by the outcome of the updates on the steps taken by the MeECL.
“In consideration of your assurances for payment of the balance dues in three equal instalments in April, May and June, the regulation notice issued vide our No NEEPCO/ED/COMML/R-16/1746 dated 16.3.2021 is being withdrawn with effect from 14:00 hrs of March 23,” NEEPCO Executive Director (Commercial) NK Mao noted in his letter to CMD of MeECL, Arun Kumar Khembavi.
“NEEPCO will regularly update itself regarding the specific steps taken by MeECL towards lodging of disbursal request with REC/PFC for second tranche of loan including fulfillment of enabling pre-conditionalities for disbursement to avert eleventh hour financial crisis in NEEPCO that may hamper its operations. Further course of action by NEEPCO will be guided by the outcome of such updates,” Mao asserted.
