Imphal, August 26 2010: The Vision Foundation Manipur (VFM) has urged the Union Power Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde to institute a State Power Policy, Energy and Technical Audit and establishment of State Regulatory Commission Office in Imphal.

Chairman of VFM, K Seityajit met Power Minister Shinde in New Delhi recently and submitted to him a memorandum signed by himself and General Secretary of VFM, S Subhas.

In the memorandum, the VFM expressed the pitiable life the people of Manipur were living in the 21st century without adequate electricity.

"We know that without electricity there will be no development.

The development of a country is driven by Industries which is power of Electricity.

And for the state like Manipur, IT Industry will play a crucial role in mitigating the rampant problem of unemployment which also necessitates the uninterrupted supply of electricity," said Seityajit and Subhas in the memorandum.

They said, "Over the last 20 years or so, the people of Manipur have been facing shortage of electricity and the Government apparently has failed in taking up any concrete measures in solving the ubiquitous problem of lack of adequate electricity.

The people of Manipur are not aware of any particular attention of the Central Government to the problem except Tipaimukh Dam" .

The VFM expressed firm belief that development of infrastructure will partially bring down the problem of unemployment as well as the tempo of insurgency as happening in Assam.

About the present power system, the VFM apprised the Union Home Minister that the State of Manipur in perspective it is known that as per the census of year 2001, the population of the state was 21,66,788 and per capita energy consumption of Manipur in 2009-2010 is 148 (KWH) only, which is even less than 50% of the National consumption level of India (i.e.350 KWH which is among the lowest in the world in 2001 as per the executive summary of the Minister of Power, Government of India).

Two 132KV Transmission lines of Manipur connecting the GRID are not working as a result only 90 MW of power can be drawn from the GRID through PGCI lines.

So, in the event of failure of PGCI lines, the State of Manipur will be completely blacked out.

The full text of the memorandum follows:
Need of a Power Reformed Policy:
It is known from reliable source that around 3000 MW of power can be produce in Manipur by Hydro Electric Power if a proper Power Reformed is implemented.

But presently around 180 MW is required for the whole Manipur during peak hour while out of the 90 MW of electricity produce by the Loktak Project the State of Manipur is provided with only 30.115% of power as the state share.

Policy of power reformed like BOOT (Built Own Operate Transfer) can be put as proposal for pilot project.

State Regulatory Commission:
Even though Aizwal houses the Head Office of State Regulatory Commission for the combine states of Mizoram and Manipur as there is no branch office in Manipur it is as good as non-existent.

Energy & Technical Audit:
There is no proper Energy and Technical Audit so far in the state.

Energy audit is required as the energy injected to the system is 538.319 MU and Energy Sold is only 285.03 MU and the revenue collection is only Rs.80.163 crore.

The Unscheduled Interchange (UI) is only Rs.25.397 crore which was not collected from Manipur consumers.

So, there is a question of selling energy to other outside consumers in a unauthourised way by losing the benefit of the State Consumers.

There is also no proper Technical Audit.

Problems Faced by the Consumers:
At present every consumer receives only 6 hours of power supply out of 24 hours in a day i.e.2 hours at the morning; 2 hours at the evening and 2 hours at night.

This works out at 180 hours per month which is equivalent to 8 days of power supply out of 30 days.

Moreover presently the minimum monthly electric bill has increased from Rs.195 to Rs.410 .

So on behalf of the people of Manipur the Vision Foundation Manipur would like to draw your kind attention to intervene and initiate institution of a proper State Power Policy for Manipur like the rest of the country.

It is hereby emphasis for your kindself attention to the urgent need of a State Regulatory Commission Office at Imphal at the earliest.

We would like to draw your attention to the need of establishment of an Energy and Technical Audit Cell to bring transparency and accountability.

Lastly, we beg your kindself, for the people of Manipur for additional supply of power so as to usher in an era of visible development and lasting peace in the state of Manipur.

We have full hope and trust that Honourable Sir will do all the needful at the earliest possible in the best interest of the general public and justice.

Copies of the memorandum were also submitted to Congress president and MP, Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary of INYC and MP, Rahul Gandhi.

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