• Nagaland Power Engineers informs ‘No capacity addition, non purchase of transformers, spares for the last many years
’ • Blames deficient fund allocation and criticises State Government for being unfair to the department
DIMAPUR, MARCH 10 (MExN): The Association of Power Engineers Nagaland (APEN) has expressed disappointment at the deficiency in allocation of funds to the State Power Department under Plan and Non Plan. In a letter to the Nagaland State Chief Secretary today, the APEN expressed apprehension of “major breakdowns” during the summer months with “no capacity addition, non purchase of transformers, spares for the last many years which has rendered the department helpless.”
It cited recent events of power shutdowns in Mokokchung, Kiphire, Pfutsero etc due to damage of transformers, where power could not be restored for nearly a month and said that the incidents were not surprising. Prompt replacements could not be made due to the lack of funds, it added.
The APEN further cautioned that such recurrence of similar incidents “cannot be ruled out if the present trend of funding continues.”
It stated that since 2009-10, there has been deficient fund allocation to the department under State plan and non plan. It stated that under this situation, the generation, transmission, distribution, revenue, housing and communication elements of the department are going through difficulty for upkeep of its assets and related activities. The “biggest gap” it stated, is being felt in the major load centres of Dimapur, Chumukedimam, Kohima, Mokokchung etc, which are running under overloaded conditions, protective devices and materials in dilapidated conditions, conductors requiring upgradation, transformers starving for oil etc.
The APEN pointed out the Central Government’s view that under the new dispensation of fund of the 14th Finance Commission, the State Government has been adequately provided fund for development. However, it lamented that instead of redeeming the Power Department’s plight, the State Government has meted out “step motherly treatment by treating the Power Department as a least priority in terms of fund allocation without acknowledging electricity as an essential service.” Such apathy by the State Government has instilled a sense of insecurity in the minds of the APEN members who will be bearing all the public brunt and ire, it stated.
The APEN further termed it “unfair” on the part of the Nagaland State Government to expect the department to deliver power to consumers without maintaining the lines and machines (transformers) and also to expect the department to perform on the revenue front without adequate support from the Government.
It therefore asked the State Government to take serious note of the “avoidable impending worsening situation,” and accord “highest priority” regarding the allocation of funds to the department, under both plan and non plan.
