MeECL taking steps to minimize losses, increase efficiency: Mondal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 12, 2024

Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal on Thursday said the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) is trying to minimise losses and increase its efficiency.

Speaking to reporters, Mondal said, “We are working on it. It is not an easy thing. Forget about our generation, distribution and transmission components even in other states it is a similar situation.There are lots of issues of concern (such as A&TC losses, outstanding dues of consumers etc). We are trying to see that losses are minimized and efficiency is increased as this will indirectly help our consumers also. So we are working on it. Situations are better and if we work on this and it continues like this, things will be positive.”

Asked, the power minister said, “The chief minister’s target is to see that electricity is provided to consumers uninterruptedly and because of that supplement is required as you got to buy power especially during lean seasons and government of Meghalaya is helping in a big way and in that process, the amount also is very high.”

“If the same amount is not required by MePDCL, just imagine how many roads, hospitals, schools, colleges could be constructed. That is the concern of the chief minister and he told us in very clear terms that whatever reforms needed to be done as far as the three (entities of the corporation) is concerned, it should be looked into and we are working on that. It is not easy. It is not that overnight we will do it. There are lots of problems there, borrowings are there, loan components are there, dues are there, all these affect the distribution system, even generation and transmission also.”  

Mondal said, “I am positive and that is why we are working on it. You might have seen there are lots of improvements when compared to last year and the last two years also. I am thankful to the chief minister because without his support and guidance it would not have been possible because the finance department is giving us all the resources that we required.”

“MeECL is also working in a very professional way and till the date I have taken over, I have seen, they are working. You must be seeing that cyclone remal has devastatingly destroyed our transmission line, and very swiftly and competently MeECL has restored these lines though we have to employ additional manpower to restore the supply chain but we are doing,” he added.