Meghayala govt directive to corpn on power

Power-starved Meghalaya government today directed the Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Limited (MeECL) to ensure uninterrupted power supply on February 24 where over eight lakh voters will elect members to the two autonomous councils for the tribals in the state - the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council andthe Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
Hit by deficiency in power generation, the MeECL has resorted to power cut during certain period of the day every day tosave power at present.
"We have written to the MeECL authority to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the entire election process," District Council Affairs commissioner and secretary Jopthiaw Lyngdoh told reporters.

He said certain remote villages where there are no power connections at all, the returning officers were asked to provide solar lanterns in the polling stations.
"There are at least 27 villages, mostly located in the rural areas ofWest Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts, whichare without power supply till date," Lyngdoh said.
He said as such, instructions were issued to the administration tolook for alternatives such as the use of solar lanterns in those areasto ensure that the smooth and uninterrupted conduct of elections.