Imphal, May 25: Along with setting up a Special Court to try cases of power theft by the State Government, the Electricity Department has procured 600 Distribution Transformer Metres for installation at each of the power transformers to monitor how much power is being consumed in Imphal area on trial basis and fix responsibility for power theft. Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, an official source informed that to ensure smooth functioning of the Special Court in taking up cases of power theft, the State Government has appointed two dedicated Magistrates, one lawyer and one assessing officer.

However, the proposal for setting up of the special police station to help in the functioning of the Special Court has been delayed following some technical difficulties, the official said. Nonetheless, the Electricity Department has procured 600 Distribution Transformer Metres which would be installed in each of the power transformer to monitor the monthly power consumption.

On trial basis, the Distribution Transformer Metres would be installed in selected localities and based on the reading of the metres, the divisions concerned of the Department would collect the power tariff, the source said, adding that installation of power metres would also be ensured in all the houses of the consumers.

It is informed that while 29 percent of the power provided to the State is lost during transmission, power theft accounted 35 percent of the loss suffered. Meanwhile, another official source conveyed that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has convened a joint meeting of all the Chief Ministers and the Power Ministers of the States on May 28 at New Delhi.

The main agenda to be discussed during the meeting include finding out ways and means of preventing power theft and generation of more power to meet immediate requirements. The meeting will also discuss the possibility of involving private parties in power generation and transmission as well as proper management of the present power demand, the source said, while disclosing that there is no objection on the part of the State Government to rope in private parties for generation of power. The State Government would definitely purchase the power produced by the private firm, the source said. One private firm from Singapore has already submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the State Government expressing its willing to set up power projects at Irang and Tuivai river, the source further disclosed. Points to remember 29 percent of the power provided to the State is lost during transmission, 35 percent due to power theft. The State Govt has appointed two Magistrates, one lawyer and one assessing officer for the Special Court to try power theft.

Electricity Department has procured 600 Distribution Transformer Metres which would be installed in each of the power transformer to monitor the monthly power consumption. Prime Minister has convened a joint meeting of all the Chief Ministers and the Power Ministers of the States on May 28 at New Delhi.

The main agenda includes finding means of preventing power theft and generation of more power to meet immediate requirements. State Government to rope in private parties for generation of power.

One private firm from Singapore has already submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the State Government expressing its willingness to set up power projects at Irang and Tuivai river.

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