IMPHAL, Feb 24 - Manipur Government is targeting to give pre-paid power connections to almost all power consumers in Imphal city within April this year. There are about 1.20 lakh power consumers here.
This was disclosed by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh while replying to a question by ruling MLA RK Imo on the present status of prepaid connections in Imphal city during the ongoing Budget session on Wednesday.
�As on date, 77,392 number of prepaid meters have been installed in Imphal city,� said Ibobi, who also holds Power portfolio. �We are targeting to install prepaid meters for the remaining consumers in Imphal city within April if we couldn�t make it by March-end.�
The Chief Minister, however, informed the House that the State Government is not in a position to give LED street lamps in all the localities in and around Imphal except the important routes unless the local representatives install prepaid meters for local streets.
Otherwise, the State will have to continue to spend Rs 24-25 crore annually to buy power from outside, he added.
Power-starved Manipur became the first State in the North East to get pre-paid power supply in 2012. Thereafter, the State which faces a shortfall of 80-90 MW in peak hours in winters, started having regular power supply for three hours in daytime particularly in Imphal.
