Imphal, May 21: Taking serious note of the poor power situation in the State, Governor Dr SS Sidhu today convened a joint meeting with Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and other officials concerned to discuss 'power improvement'.

Talking to mediapersons at his Old Secretariat office chamber in connection with the meeting, Phungzathang informed that during the meeting the Governor made it clear that power supply should be ensured to the people, even if the VIPs and officials are not getting it.

As a result, the meeting attended by Principal Secretary Finance (Link Commissioner Power), P Saratchandra, Chief Engineer BS Chingtham and Additional Chief Engineer-I among others discussed issues related to improvement of power situation in the State, the Power Minister said.

While observing that the Governor is genuinely concerned about the existing power situation in the State and even took keen interest in the discussion on the ways and means of improving power supply to the people, the Minister admitted that the power situation in the State at present is so bad that load shedding has to be imposed much to the chagrin of the people.

The actual power requirement in the State during the peak hour is 160 megawatt, however, at present it is getting only around 80 megawatt, the Minister disclosed.

He explained that the main reason for shortage of power supply in the State is due to failure of the power consumers to pay their due taxes.

The total amount of taxes due to be paid by the consumers at present excluding the losses suffered from unauthorised connection is around Rs 200 crores.

So, to ensure regular power supply to the people, unauthorised power connection should be stopped and consumers should pay off their due taxes, the Minister observed, while asserting that in such a condition, the service being rendered by the Power Department deserves appreciation.

On some of the measures that have been mooted for improving the power situation in the State, the Minister informed that the State Government has decided to give one month's time to the defaulting consumers to clear their due taxes and to the unauthorised connectors to make themselves as regular consumers.

Otherwise, police help would be sought for taking up necessary action against them.

Over and above this, the Minister further informed that the State Government has approved setting up of special courts in Imphal East and Imphal West so that action could be initiated against the defaulters in accordance to the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003 .

Incentives would also be given to the Engineers would perform their duties efficiently while increments for one year would not be given to those neglected their duties, the Minister added.

In reply to a question, the Power Minister informed that steps would also be taken up for setting up more additional counters for the conveniences of the consumers in clearing off their due taxes.

The Minister, however, admitted certain lapses on the part of the officials of the Power Department in tax collection.

In putting into practice the arrangements that have adopted by the Government this time, there would be no question hill or valley.

The power line of any defaulters would be cut off irrespective of their place of settlement, the Minister stated firmly, adding that loss of power being suffered in Manipur is at the rate of 70 percent and this should not be tolerated any more.

Expressing confidence that there would be a drastic improvement in the power situation of Manipur in two-three months, in case the steps initiated this time prove to be successful, the Minister said that the State Government is having any due to be paid to the power corporations for purchasing power from outside as it has been spending Rs 9.86 crores every month on regular basis.

While announcing that the Centre has given approval on taking up Accelerated Power Reforms Programme for improvement of the power transmission system through underground cable in Greater Imphal area, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur district, the Minister assured that the programme would also be implemented subsequently in Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong district.

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