SHILLONG: The state government is exploring ways and means to reduce the duration of load shedding in the state.
The duration of the power cut daily in parts of the state is four hours.
Power Minister James Sangma told reporters on Monday that the state government will try to clear some of the dues to NEEPCO as the government is concerned about the load shedding.
The government has to pay over Rs 550 crore to NEEPCO and the power minister admitted that it will be a challenge to clear the entire dues.
Earlier, the state cabinet decided to modify the guarantee extended to MeECL for issuance of a bond to restructure the interests from loans.
Last year, the cabinet had approved the proposal of MeECL to raise bond of Rs 800 crore but since the state government received Rs 170 crore loan, it was reduced to Rs 630 crore.
James said the bond is to restructure the high interest-bearing loans.
Outsourcing
To a question, James said the handing over of electricity services to the Feedback Energy Distribution Company Limited (FEDCO) was not done all over the state.
There was protest from the pressure groups in South West Khasi Hills against a private company taking up electricity services.
“We are monitoring the situation. The franchising model has not been implemented everywhere as we have to look into customer satisfaction”, he said.
The franchising was implemented in South West Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills.
