Imphal, September 06: To check the large scale power theft and penalize those with unauthorized connection and to give more teeth to revenue collection, the State Government has already set up a Tribunal under the Manipur Electricity Act and the High Court is set appoint a Judge to head the Tribunal soon.

Speaking to The Sangai Express at his office chamber today, newly appointed Power Minister Gaikhangam said that there is pressing need to regularize the distribution system of electricity in the State adding that unauthorized connections will be severely dealt with.

To check the rampant power theft and other irregularities, the State Government has already set up a Tribunal to deal with such cases, he said and added that the High Court will soon appoint a Judge to head the Tribunal.

The Tribunal will be able not only to penalize unauthorized connections and crack down on power theft but will also go a long way in helping the State Government in recovering the outstanding power dues from the consumers, said the Minister.

Gaikhangam expressed hope that the people will extend their full co-operation to the Tribunal in exercising its authority.

During the last five years, the power tariff collection has been extremely poor and in 2002-2003, the Electricity Department failed to collect any tax.

In 1999-2000 the tax collection stood at Rs 0.55 crore, Rs 0.97 cr in 2000-01, Rs 2.17 cr in 2001-2002 and Rs 1 cr in 2003-2004.On the proposal to construct the controversial Tipaimukh Dam, the Minister said that the opposition to the dam has come not from the people who will be affected but from other quarters.

The Government has already decided to go ahead with the 1500 megawatts Tipaimukh Dam, said the Minister and recalled that the State Assembly has already taken a decision to construct the dam.

Vouching by the benefits of the dam, Gaikhangam said that once the dam is constructed, the power supply situation in the State will improve considerably.

When reminded that Nungba AC, of which he is the representative, stand to be adversely affected, the Power Minister replied that the question does not arise and added that the dam is for the benefit of the people.

The Minister did not agree with the view that the power situation in the State has improved and added that till today, majority of the power units are still being purchased from outside the State.

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