The Meghalaya High Court today expressed displeasure with the continued load shedding in the State and the failure of the State government to give detailed information regarding the measures adopted to augment the supply of electricity.
The division bench of the High Court was hearing the PIL filed by social activist Flaming B. Marak on the power situation in the State.
The High Court said that it is completely unacceptable that the quantum of power deficit in the State would be more than 50 per cent.
“It is possible that because of low rainfall or other problems there is a shortfall for some period and a shortfall which may be not more than 10 per cent of the daily demand. It seems that the shortfall here is more than 50 to 60 per cent of the demand and such a situation cannot be acceptable in this day and age where both business and domestic life almost come to a standstill without the availability of electricity,” the court said.
The High Court in its order asked the State government to file a more comprehensive report indicating the larger picture across the State and providing details pertaining to every district.
“The State will also indicate the measures taken to obtain additional power from the national grid and other sources that are available to reduce the shortfall,” the order said.
Further, to deal with the issue on a more long-term basis, the High Court asked the State government to look at small capacity hydro-electricity projects or other forms of electricity generating projects, “particularly since the State is endowed with heavy rainfall and enjoys a hilly terrain where small projects may be put up at low cost to cater to the needs of the immediate locality”.
“Indeed, a 10-year or a 20-year plan has to be made out, taking into account the increased demand in future, to ensure that adequate steps are taken either to generate electricity or to purchase or obtain supply thereof from other sources to ensure that, ideally, there is no gap between the demand and the supply,” the court added. It also listed the matter for hearing on July 25.
