SHILLONG, Feb 13: The Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) has announced load shedding on a rotational basis from February 14, undermining the state government’s claim of making Meghalaya a “zero power cut” state.
In a statement on Saturday, MePDCL’s director for distribution said new regulations by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and the low water level of Umiam reservoir has made it impose load shedding throughout Meghalaya.
The area-wise load shedding schedule will be intimated, the statement said.
Lengthy power cuts, particularly during winter, are not new for Shillong and other parts of the state. In 2020, Power Minister James Sangma was optimistic about the situation improving by this year through the initiative to transform Meghalaya.
The decision on load shedding has thus attracted flak and raised questions about the financial health of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
In December last year, a load shedding crisis was averted temporarily after NEEPCO and NERLDC withdrew power regulation for Meghalaya after the power generating PSUs agreed to the state government’s “request” to restore supply of power despite not clearing the dues of the generating companies.
The state government has availed Rs 1,345 crore under the Atmanirbhar Bharat to clear power purchase dues of more than Rs 1,200 crore and pending terminal benefits of Rs. 840 crore payable to the retired employees of the MeECL.
