Aizawl: Mizoram has sought increased central investment in the northeast’s power sector, including a larger share of budgetary support and special funding for critical infrastructure, during a meeting of the region’s power ministers with Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on Tuesday.The meeting at Shram Shakti Bhavan was attended by power ministers and senior officials of the northeastern states under the North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC).Mizoram power minister F Rodingliana urged the Centre to ensure more effective utilisation of the 10% gross budgetary support, earmarked by Union ministries for the northeast, with a larger share directed towards the power sector.The ministers sought financial assistance to modernise the regional grid and special support for projects proposed by the states following changes in the implementation of the power system development fund. Citing the region’s difficult terrain, the ministers also sought additional substations in remote areas to improve power supply and reduce disruptions.Khattar assured them that he would raise their funding concerns with the Union finance minister. However, he said the Centre might not be able to bear the entire cost of all proposed projects and that states would also have to contribute.Khattar called for faster installation of smart meters, including check meters to help consumers verify their functioning. He also urged the states to reduce transmission losses and promote greater commercialisation of the power sector.
