Meghalaya to amend power policy, NEEPCO to take up one power project

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Shillong, Dec 4 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has decided to amend its draft power policy with a view to create more employment opportunities for the indigenous people of the state.

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of the state Power Ministry Dr Mukul M Sangma told UNI here today that a Cabinet meeting, held yesterday, resolved that there was a need to amend the state's power policy in view of its potential in generating power to meet the requirements.

''The Cabinet decided to amend the draft power policy to ensure that 80 per cent of the jobs be provided to the indigenous people of the state,'' Mr Sangma said.

At least 32 companies had expressed interest to invest in the power sector in the state.

The power enterprises, including the JP Group of Companies, Jindal, Essar, Athena and other industries, had submitted Expression of Interest (EoI) for investment in the state's power sector.

Earlier, the Khasi Student's Union had urged the state government to ensure the creation of employment opportunities for the local people in the power policy.

Asked about the handing over of four power projects to the North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO), Dr Sangma said only the 90 MW Mawphu hydropower project would be handed over to the NEEPCO, adding that the remaining power projects would not be assigned to the NEEPCO.

The 1000 Kynshi hydropower project would be taken up by the Meghalaya State Electricity Board, instead of the NEEPCO, Dr Sangma added.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who visited the state in June, had announced that an MoU will be signed between the Meghalaya government and NEEPCO for setting up power projects in the state.

The projects to be developed were the 720 MW Nangalbibra, 230 MW West Khasi Hills thermal power project, 90 MW Mawphu and 1000 Kynshi hydropower projects.

UNI

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