Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal has requested additional funds from the central government for the implementation of the smart meter project in Meghalaya.
Mondal attended a conference of Power Ministers of all the states that was chaired by the Union Power Minister in New Delhi today. They discussed the progress of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), implementation of rights of consumer rules, PM Har Ghar Saurya Yojna, resource adequacy, development of pumped storage projects, etc.
The conference was attended by the power ministers and secretary power of all the states. The conference was also attended by the CMDs’ of NTPC, NEEPCO, PGCIL and SJVNL, Secretary Ministry of Power, Secretary MNRE, Chairman CEA and CMD REC and PFC.
During the meeting the states appraised the progress on various fronts and also highlighted the key issues before the Union Power Minister.
Mondal also appraised the Centre on the progress under RDSS. He also raised specific issues pertaining to the implementation of the Smart Meter Scheme under RDSS. He said that the discovered cost of Smart Meter is much higher than the sanction cost though the amount discovered is almost at par with other states in the North East, since the sanction cost is much higher, he requested the Union Minister that the subsidy amount per meter may be increased as in absence of the same the burden of additional cost would either be passed on to the consumer or would be borne by the utility. This impact will defeat the overall purpose of the scheme.
With regards to the development of pumped storage projects in Meghalaya, Mondal informed the meeting that the state has received the proposal for development of pumped storage projects with a cumulative capacity of 4,800 MW. Since the tariff of these projects is likely to be very high, he requested that the Ministry of Power may consider some kind of benefits in terms of free power to the state.
Further, on the issue related to renewable energy, Mondal apprised the Union Minister that there are several small hydro projects for which the detailed project reports have been completed and the development of these projects can be started immediately.
However, there is lack of funds in the state and requested that the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy may consider re-start the stopped Central Financial Assistance of Rs.7.5 crore/MW for the development of small hydro projects so that smaller states like Meghalaya can benefit.
