The Meghalaya High Court recently chastised the state and its electricity regulatory body, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), for the state’s rampant power cuts, which were caused by an imbalance in demand and supply.
During a hearing on a PIL in this respect, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh stated, “Electricity is no longer a luxury. It is the obligation of the state to assure enough availability of electricity in response to demand, and plans should be in place to meet rising future demands.”
The bench ironically stated that while it was dictating the order in the PIL, the Court’s power supply had been cut off. “The power was restored in a matter of seconds, but it may be a sign that the State should provide an adequate response,” it stated.
The Chairman of MeECL informed the Court that the monthly demand for power is 200 million units, with only 88 million units available. He further claimed that the shortfall is the result of a power plant in Tripura being shut down for technical reasons and the state having no other source of power.
However, the Court concluded that this could not be used to explain power outages. It proposed that the state purchase power from the open grid and enter into agreements with power companies. It has now requested independent affidavits from both the State and MeECL outlining the immediate, short-term, and long-term actions to address the power problem, as well as a plan of action in the event of any power plant’s unintentional shutdown and other sources that may be available.
The court also emphasised the importance of equitable load-shedding hour distribution and alternative preparations for critical services such as hospitals, airports, and key installations.
The matter is listed for further consideration on May 30, 2023.
