Meghalaya saves Rs 90 lakh from load shedding

Shillong, Mar 21 (UNI) Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma today informed the Assembly that the government has saved around Rs 90 lakh per week through reduction in power purchase following load shedding.

Dr Sangma said the government had to resort to load shedding due to the failure of the last two monsoons that resulted in shortage of water at Umiam reservoir near here.

However, the government had taken steps to tackle such situation in the near future, the Power Minister told the House during the Question Hour.

''We have identified the potential areas to generate power in the state,'' Dr Sangma said, adding that the government had proposed to developed thermal projects in the coal-belt areas of the state.

Replying to a query of Independent member Pynshai Manik Syiem, Dr Sangma said the average power saved from the load shedding arranged by the Board is about 15-20 MW daily.

He further said the energy saved had resulted in lower power purchase and reduction of the state's generation.

UNI