Power outage infuriates Jiri citizens
Source: The Sangai Express

Jiribam, May 25 2013 : Women, students and civil society organisations have threatened to launch intense agitation against the Executive Engineer and personnel of Kadamtala-based Jiri Power Sub station in case electricity supply is not restored within May 27 .

Speaking to media persons at Apunba Jiribam Meira Paibi office today, representatives of women organisations highlighted that cessation of power supply for the last many days following technical problem of the lone power transformer of the sub-station is causing serious inconveniences to the entire population of the sub-division where heat is intolerable in the summer.

Terming the EE shantikumar as inconsiderate and disrespectful individual, they accused him of being incompetent to hold such a responsible post.

Contrary to the EE initially assuring that the transformer would be repaired within May 16 when some locals proposed that two transformers be kept in the Station and mechanics be called to repair the damage, the EE not only remains indifferent to the situation but also reacted rudely and disconnected the call when he was contacted on phone to enquire when power supply would resume, maintained the women leaders.

The EE also reportedly told a Jiribam delegation in the presence of Minister Th Debendra, who represents Jiribam AC, that the transformer would be reinstalled on May 18 but the same is yet to materialise till date.

Recounting that the same transformer was repaired in december 2013 with the EE putting the repairing cost to Rs 30 lakhs, the meira paibis suspected injudicious usage of the said amount as the transformer developed problem inspite of the EE stating that the transformer would operate smoothly for atleast a year.

On the otherhand, functionaries of Jiribam-based civil society organisations dismissed the EE's claim that transportation of the power transformer from Imphal to the sub-division on National Highway 37 would be problematic due to poor condition of the highway.

Pointing out that more voluminous machines/items are being transported on the same route and affirming that there is no reason why the transformer cannot be carried, they also charged the EE and his sub-ordinates of being incompetent as no less that three transformers in the Station's complex are in need of repairing.

They proposed that higher officials of the Power Department take suitable measures to restore power supply at the earliest.

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