State slipping back to 'dark era' after 10 years
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, February 28 2025: With the rise in cases of power theft, Manipur is now facing the reality of frequent load shedding after a decade.

There has also been an increase in power usage during peak hours from 5 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 10 pm, which is another contributing factor for the growing power supply crisis faced by the consumers.

After the Power Department was bifurcated into Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) and Manipur State Power Company Limited, the pre-paid meter system was introduced in 2014 to improve electricity supply to the consumers.

Since implementation of the system, the issues of erratic power supply and frequent power cuts ceased for over a decade.

State slipping back to 'dark era' after 10 years

However, unwarranted practices such as non-clearance of bills by consumers, power theft and interruptions to power connection - often occurring even before the new system was in place - continue to hinder efforts for supplying power to the masses.

On top of this, private consumers and government departments still owe bills amounting to Rs 213,40,39,866 and Rs 81,60,61,405 respectively.

This non-clearance of bills is also largely blamed for the unfolding electricity crisis in the state.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, MSPDCL managing director H Shantikumar Singh informed that the installation of pre-paid meters in the hills and valley is now at 92 per cent, with around 5,25,000 registered consumers.

He also disclosed that the company purchases the electricity from the National Grid at Rs 50-60 crore per month and supplies it to the people.

Meanwhile, the tariff collected from the consumers is Rs 5.1 per unit (domestic) with government subsidy; while for commercial consumers such as shops, it is Rs 6.55 with government subsidy.

On top of this, the rate is further lowered for consumers who use only 3/4 bulbs, making the tariff collected in Manipur much lower compared to other states.

The rate has remained, constant for the last three years.

Shantikumar, however, noted that the number of consumers resorting to power theft by bypassing the meter is on the rise, severely affecting the company.

For example, often times, the street vendors, cropping up at various locations, run their stalls by stealing electricity from nearby wires.

At the same time, consumption of electricity against the rules in households is also increasing.

The demand for electricity in the peak hours of morning and evening is on the rise.

The situation is made even more difficult with hydro power generations facing issues in generating electricity due to the receding river levels, he highlighted.

Even then, the biggest challenge to the company is the increasing number of power theft cases, Shantikumar continued, stating that due to the prevailing conflict situation, the company is facing problems in conducting drive or collecting the dues.

Nonetheless, the Company has managed to initiate certain measures including cutting off supply to those found connecting or using the power illegally.

Tn February, around 310 power theft cases were detected during drives and connections of around 324 shops disconnected.

Thus, the drives will continue as usual," he affirmed, while seeking the support of the people in this regard.

Highlighting the outstanding dues of private consumers and government departments even before the introduction of the pre-payment metering system till date, Shantikumar said that the Company is almost unable to purchase the electricity for the people.

"If the situation fails to improve, then the previous scenario of frequent load shedding might return, " he cautioned, while adding that the current shortage of electricity during peak hours could be addressed by purchasing the same from Energy Exchange.

According to Shantikumar, in case the outstanding dues are cleared, the situation could be managed effectively.

He then suggested that each department allocate some funds in their annual budgets to settle these dues and urged private consumers to ensure clearance of the pending dues.

He also appealed to all concerned to refrain from endorsing power theft and illegal use of electricity.