SHILLONG, MAR 17: Minister in-charge Power James K Sangma on Wednesday said the state government is finding ways and means to clear the outstanding dues of Rs 504.41 crore to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO).
His statement came after the NEEPCO has decided to regulate power supply to the state from March 20.
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the ongoing Assembly session, Sangma admitted that the state government has received the notice served by the NEEPCO on this regard.
“We are talking to them (NEEPCO) and finding ways and means on how we can resolve this issue,” he said.
In a letter to executive director of North Eastern Regional Load Despatch Centre, Power System Operation Corporation Limited on Tuesday, NEEPCO executive director (commercial) NK Mao had said despite constant persuasion at various levels, MePDCL has failed to clear the outstanding dues payable to NEEPCO against purchase of power from its power stations.
Consequently, the dues of MePDCL continue to escalate and the outstanding in excess of 45 days have piled up to Rs 156.70 crore as on March 15 plus LPS of Rs 347.71 crores adding the total dues as on March 15 stands at Rs 504.41 crores.
“In view of the above mentioned situation, NEEPCO has no other option but to exercise its option provided for by central electricity regulatory commission (Regulation of Power Supply) Regulations, 2010.
Hence, notice is served for round-the-clock regulation of power supply to MePDCL from all the power stations of NEEPCO for a period of six months with effect from March 20 or till such time MePDCL liquidates its outstanding dues of more than 45 days, whichever is earlier,” Mao stated in the letter.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power had also shot a letter to the Secretary in-charge Power Pravin Bakshi on March 12, regarding the failure of the MePDCL to avail the loan for clearing the outstanding dues.
Asked, the Power Minister however said, “It is not the inability to avail the loan…I don’t know which letter you are referring to…but it is something right now NEEPCO is talking about the current outstanding dues…”
He said the department is processing the second installment of the first tranche of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (ABA) loan which amounting to Rs 230 crore in order to be able to clear the outstanding dues to the NEEPCO.
“We are trying our best to avoid the situation (where load shedding has to be imposed in the state),” Sangma added.
When pointed out that the Ministry of Power has also advised the MePDCL to request REC and PFC to disburse the remaining instalments to NEEPCO within March 15, failing which sanction of the loan will be liable to be withdrawn, the minister however said it should be March 31.
“I think they may be mentioning March 15 from the point of view year ending as many paper works need to be done but the last date should technically be March 31. We will avail the loan,” he added.
By Our Reporter
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