Shillong, Sept 12: Meghalaya’s Power Minister, AT Mondal, has expressed confidence in the revival of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and the overall improvement in the state’s power sector. He emphasized that efforts are underway to minimize losses and boost efficiency across various departments.
Speaking to the media in Shillong, Mondal remarked, “I am positive, and that’s why we are working on it. You might have seen that there are a lot of improvements compared to last year and the year before. I am thankful to the Chief Minister. Without his guidance and support, this would not have been possible. The finance department is providing us with the resources we need, and MeECL is working in a very professional way.”
Mondal further highlighted the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma’s commitment to reforming the state’s power sector, particularly the three subsidiaries under MeECL: the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited (MePGCL), and Meghalaya Transmission Corporation Limited (MePTCL). He said, “The Chief Minister has made it clear that the necessary reforms for the three corporations under MeECL must be addressed, and we are actively working on that.”
The Minister acknowledged the challenges the department faces, including loans, borrowings, and dues, which have impacted both distribution and generation systems. “It is not easy to solve these issues overnight,” Mondal said, adding, “We are trying to minimize losses and increase efficiency, which will benefit our consumers in the long run.”
On the goal of uninterrupted electricity supply, Mondal said, “The Chief Minister’s target is to provide continuous electricity to consumers. To achieve this, especially during lean seasons, we need to supplement by purchasing power, and the government of Meghalaya is playing a significant role in this process.”
Mondal praised the professional efforts of MeECL, particularly their quick response in restoring transmission lines damaged by Cyclone Remal. “Despite the cyclone’s devastating impact on our transmission lines, MeECL swiftly restored them, employing additional manpower to ensure the supply chain remained intact,” he said.
The Minister remains hopeful about the future of Meghalaya’s power sector, stressing that continued efforts will lead to positive outcomes.