Editor,
On November 4, 2024, the Cabinet amended the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws in order to regulate the construction of buildings in industrial zones in New Shillong Township and across the state. The energy consumption of buildings inside these industrial zones will rise along with their requirements. Meghalaya being a power deficit state, it will be imperative to regulate and optimize energy consumption in such structures to ensure sustainable development. With the National Energy Conservation Day coming up next month on December 14, 2024, it is fitting to bring up the energy efficiency measures taken up by the Government of India in this regard.
Clause G3 of the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2021, effective from March 9, 2021, states that Buildings or Building Complexes having a connected load of 100KW or more will be regulated as per the Energy Conservation Code (ECBC) 2017 for commercial buildings. The Energy Conservation Building Code was prepared by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), in line with Clause 14(p) of the Government of India Energy Conservation Act 2001. The Code was formulated to streamline the design and operation of buildings, with the primary objective of reducing their energy demand and consumption. It establishes the minimum energy performance standards for buildings in India. The Code addresses key components of buildings, including the envelope (comprising walls, roofs and windows), lighting systems, HVAC systems, water heating, water pumping and the electrical power system. The State Government can also amend the Energy Conservation Building Code to suit the regional and local climatic conditions, in line with Clause 15(a) of the Act. In 2009, BEE initiated the Star rating scheme for commercial buildings in India.
Clause 15 (d) of the Energy Conservation Act 2001 states that the State Government may, by notification in consultation with BEE, designate any agency as State Designated Agency (SDA) to coordinate, regulate and enforce provisions of the Act within the state. Accordingly, the Senior Electrical Inspector was nominated as the SDA within the state of Meghalaya. The State Government is also mandated to make Rules for the Energy Conservation Building Code, in line with Clause 57(2)(a) of the Act. Many states have notified their Energy Conservation Building Code Rules. If Meghalaya has notified the Rules, it is not available on line.
The Ministry of Power, Government of India notified the Energy Conservation Building Code Rules, 2018, dated, February 13, 2018. Clause 7(2) of the Rules states that the owner of a commercial building shall engage Empanelled Energy Auditors (Building) who will develop the building design and other energy conservation measures, in order to meet the requirements laid down in these rules. These are to be submitted to the concerned authority for clearance before construction. The Empanelled Energy Auditors (Building) is a firm consisting of a Certified Energy Auditor certified under BEE (Certification Procedures for Energy Auditors and Energy Managers) Regulations, 2010 and Certified Energy Auditor (Building), and empanelled with the BEE.
Clause 9(b) of these Rules states that the SDA, who is the Senior Electrical Inspector for Meghalaya, is to ensure that every commercial building having a connected load of 100KW or above is in compliance with these rules. Private hospitals, education institutions, hotels, shopping complexes etc coming up in future across the state with connected load of 100KW or above are to comply with the Energy Conservation Building Code. Now that the KHADC has adopted the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2021, it is expected that they too will seek compliance for commercial buildings having connected load of 100KW or above, coming up outside the Municipal Areas. I pray that someday our state will boast of Star Rated and Green Buildings, perhaps somewhere in the New Shillong Township.
Yours etc.,
L.M.F. Sohtun
Shillong- 4
Salute to a hero!
Editor,
The people of Meghalaya are filled with deep anguish and sadness for the family of Late Aibok Madur who was attached to the Fire and Fury Corps of the Assam regiment. He was a true brave-heart and a hero to have put his life on the line while on duty at the Siachen Glacier. It is very unfortunate and distressing that there is no statement of condolence from the State Government which in all cases offers its sympathy and condolences to a soldier who dies in action in the service of the nation. No cabinet minister or the Chief Minister or even the local MLA and MDC, leave alone the top level officials were present during the last rites of this martyr. Compare this to other states where top government officials are always present on such sad occasions. I pen this column with utmost gratitude to the Defence authorities and the Village Dorbar for shouldering the responsibility of giving a befitting farewell to this great martyr who will be remembered for generations to come.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email