Kohima, Nagaland, August 30 (HBTV): Nagaland chief minister and leader of the House Neiphiu Rio has said the state’s power sector has been incurring an annual revenue loss at more than 50% of its total revenue collection. Therefore, he opined during the 14th NLA’s 5th session on August 29 in Kohima, the state needs to ‘revisit’ this sector.
The assembly discussed matters of urgent public importance under rule -50 pertaining to "Power Sector Reforms by Reviewing Communitization of Electricity Management in Urban and Rural Areas under the Nagaland Communitization of Public Institution & Services Act 2002 (Act No. 2 of 2002) - Sensitization and Awareness thereof"
Rio said the power sector has been incurring an annual revenue loss to more than 50% of its total revenue collection. Therefore, he opined that this sector is in urgent need of revisit, citing the present trend of increased power demand and revenue loss due to hasty implementation of Communitization at the grass root level.
The chief minister said installation of 100% smart pre-metering is a challenge in Nagaland’s context due to resistance by civil society organizations. However, he said that town council elected members and government should get into the action and take appropriate steps against non-compliance.
Further, Neiphiu Rio said the state’s Cabinet has already decided to introduce compulsory metering in the urban and surrounding areas. In the rural areas, he urged the churches to come forward in sensitization the public and disseminating the right information to the people. This issue needs serious discussion and one should be responsible enough to pay one's own electricity bills, Neiphiu Rio stated.