There might be a load shedding in the state, informed Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

A meeting was held with the power department relating to dues Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) owns, to several power generation companies.

“We have realized that if we were to rationalize the power usage, then throughout the year, maybe we can do a much more balancing act rather than having 8-9 hours of load-shedding.” CM Sangma claimed, a standard load shedding of one or two hours is better.

No decision has been taken as of now since they are exploring all the possibilities, informed the Chief Minister.

“We need to go for strict measures to streamline the functioning of MeECL, there are so many factors and so many dues, so stern measures will be taken. I can’t say much because the roadmap is being prepared. We are exploring what are the possibilities to stabilize MeECL,” said Sangma.

In the meantime, the Meghalaya government is trying to get the second tranche of the Aatmanirbhar loan, amounting around Rs 600 crores. The Meghalaya government will move to the Government of India for the second tranche.

Sangma said that MeECL has been clearing the dues.

“Rs 1,300 crores paid in a matter of two months. It is unreasonable how the generation companies have not given space to clear the dues,” said Sangma.

An Aatmanirbhar loan of Rs 1,345 crore has been taken by the state government to pay the pending dues to the power generation companies.