PK Singh bats for need-based policies for NE states
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 06 2025: Chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh has said that the entire North East states need to be united and raise a collective voice for availing benefits of centrally sponsored schemes fully.

It would not be right to continue finalising development schemes/projects of the NE based on Assam only as guidelines of schemes/projects need to be modified so that remaining states of the region get equal benefits, suggested chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh (PK Singh) during the inaugural session of a seminar on 'Enhancing collaborative efforts of NISE and SNAs for solar energy development in North-Easternstates' organised by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in coordination with the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA).

Addressing participants of the seminar held at Hotel Classic Grande on Tuesday, PK Singh said that as power generation capability of the North-Eastern states including Manipur is limited, ensuring adequate power supply in hilly areas of the region by grid power alone would be difficult.

To meet the shortages, development of micro power grids for different areas of hills of the region is necessary, he stressed.

While noting that renewable energy movement being initiated in the country would be hugely beneficial for the North East region, he, however, disagreed with the trend of setting Assam-centric guidelines for renewable energy or other development projects.

While calling on the Centre to take additional steps by opening a regional centre relating to renewable energy so that other states of the region get equal benefits, PK Singh offered to provide adequate land for opening regional centre in Manipur.

He also stressed the need for the Centre to look into the North East states collectively and make proper planning.

The inaugural session of the seminar was also attended by MNRE scientist Dr Kuldip Rana, commissioner (power) Dr Sailesh Kumar Chourasia, NISE director general Dr Mohamed Rihan, MANIREDA director N Pravin and representatives from other NE states, NISE, MNRE and MANIREDA officials.

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