KOHIMA, NOV 9 (DIPR): State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that the Power department needs to educate the public because unless the citizens know their responsibilities and perform their duties, it is not possible for the Government to function. Speaking as the chief guest at the annual officer’s conference of the Power department today at the conference hall, Chief Engineer’s office, Kohima, Rio expressed concern over the revenue losses and urged to make the people aware of their duties towards the Government.
Stating that no development can take place without power, Rio said that all aspects of power supply needs to be given equal importance. He said that Power department should be one of the most dynamic departments since it has to keep up with technology and ever-rising demands. He said that Nagaland is not blessed with abundant water resources and needs to be tapped whatever is available. Rio further appealed to the department to actively pursue potential projects and challenged the serving officers and unemployed electrical graduates to think big, have vision and take up challenges. He also said that in today’s world going for public private partnerships like the Government did with the Likimro project, should be pursued.
Rio also urged the officers to have long term perspectives and advocate quality control. He pointed out that many officers are not found in their place of posting and assured that action would be taken against them. Rio further expressed happiness on the progress made in the field of communitization and appealed to the department to be sincere in their undertakings.
Parliamentary Secretary, Power and Parliamentary Affairs, Doshehe Y Sema who was the guest of honour said that the hope of economic growth in Nagaland lies in the Power department and keeping this in mind, the technocrats, engineers and officers “are working day and night.” He said that the Power department is a victim of circumstances taking note that the department is devoid of generation projects but with rempant theft of electricity, poor revenue collection, shortage of man power, shortage of maintenance and operation funds etc.
Reminding that there is a need for diversification of activities, Doshehe underlined the need for change of mindset among the officers. He also said that the mindset of the public for the department is that of a service department which should be changed to commercial department. He further said that the Department should adopt information technology in billing system and control loss of transmission. Another important diversification is that of capacity building, he added. Doshehe also said that there is a need to focus on human relationship, franchising of billing system and revenue collection, reorganisation of the department, need for latest technologies and a project preparation cell.
Chief Engineer, Power, Er. DA Shishak, FIE in his short speech assured that the department will continue to serve the people and will continue to strive even in unfavourable situations. He said that power sector issues have become global and if the department has to move along with the world then ‘it will have to pick up a lot of things.’ He also pointed out some grievances faced by the Power department, for redress.
President, APEN, Er. TS Angami also delivered a short speech and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on behalf of the association.
The programme was chaired by Commissioner and Secretary (Power), Temjen Toy, IAS.
