The power situation in Nagaland refuses to improve and as per the concerned department the chronic depletion of water reservoirs in the hydro generators due to the ongoing dry spell season is the reason behind the actual power drought situation. That the North East Region Load Dispatch Centre, Shillong is now allocating only about 13 to 20 Megawatts, which is only a quarter of the State’s requirement of about 75-84MWs, would only go to show that the State’s power situation is indeed in dire straits. Add to this the information that load-shedding could continue for another three months, or till the monsoon arrives is no good news at all.
Of all the northeastern states, Nagaland is the worst-hit for the simple reason that almost all its power requirements are procured from outside the state. As reported, Nagaland is the only state in the region which does not have a self-reliant power-generation station. On top of this the very fact that the State government does not seem to be in a position to take any measures will only add to people’s woes. As such until and unless other alternative arrangements are taken, the power deficit should remain a cause of concern both for the State government and the public at large.
It is disconcerting to note that Nagaland registers the country’s highest percentage of commercial loss incurred in the power and electricity sector. According to information, the Government spends about Rs.73 Crores approximately in purchasing electricity. On the other hand, the State, incurs a gross loss of about Rs. 35 Crores yearly due to rampant power theft by unscrupulous citizens. It is equally important to let the public know that power theft is against the law and a punishable offence. The concerned department on its part should take strict enforcing measures so as to deter such rampant power theft. Further, as a result of certain unscrupulous power consumers the Government is said to be receiving insufficient revenue return due to widespread power pilfering, putting pressure on power supply for which genuine power consumers suffer.
It is desirable that citizens group at the local level bring to the notice of the concerned authorities about power thefts in their areas or neighborhoods. The government on its part must evolve a system that fully protects against power theft. Checking electricity thefts must be an ongoing process and action must be taken against the perpetrators. The Power Department had in the past undertaken such an exercise with names of perpetrators displayed in the local media. To deter wanton elements, enforcement should not remain a stop-gap-arrangement.
One specific suggestion to check power pilferage that can be taken up is to have a separate vigilance cell within the Power Department, which detects and corrects such thefts. Some of the other States have started the practice of inducting retired senior army and police officers to do this job. Further, an approximate number of police stations can be selected across the State to be exclusively used for detection of power thefts.
There is no doubt that the State is experiencing a power crisis, being short of around 50 MW during peak hours. Given this gap in generation of power supply, preventive measures such as reducing losses in transmission and distribution must be taken as a priority short term goal. The State Government should also seriously contemplate the possibility of privatization of the power sector both in the area of generation projects, and also private investment in distribution and transmission projects.
