Commercial Court stays NTPC notice to regulate power supply in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 7, 2021

The Commercial Court on Friday stayed the notice issued by the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) for regulation of power to the state from May 11.

Looking into the urgency of the matter, the Court, presided by NA Khan was pleased to conduct a physical hearing today despite enforcement of strict lockdown in East Khasi Hills District.    

The hearing was also attended physically by the Advocate General Amit Kumar, Sr Advocate, Sibasis Sen and Arkin Kharwanlang Advocate for the Government of Meghalaya. The NTPC was also represented by its counsel before the Court.

“The Court upon hearing the matter for almost two hours granted stay of the notice of NTPC dated May 4, thereby averting possibility of power cuts in the State from May 11,” Power Minister James K Sangma said in a statement.  

The state government has approached the Commercial Court, Shillong after the NTPC in its letter dated May 4, notified MeECL that since dues are not paid, regulation of power would be done from May 11 onwards in the state of Meghalaya.

The state government felt that in the present circumstances of growing COVID-19 cases, a decision to regulate power and subject the state to long power cuts would be disastrous and would seriously impact the fight against COVID-19.

“The Government of Meghalaya is consistently making earnest endeavors to resolve the issues being faced by the power sector in the state and all channels for reforming the sector are being actively explored with the interest of the public being paramount in the eyes of the government,” Sangma stated.