ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE EIGHT SECTORAL SUMMITS OF NEC                

  Status up to 15th July 2008
                                                                                           
I. PASIGHAT SUMMIT ON POWER ON 16-17 JANUARY, 2007     

S No.
Actionable Points
Action Taken
1.

Ministry of Power to develop a clear, coherent and sustainable Power Policy for the NER.

Ministry of Power set-up a Task Force for this. The report should be finalized expeditiously and inputs included in the Ministry’s XIth Plan proposals.
Central Electricity Authority finalized the Master Plan for Power in North East & circulated to all State Governments, Planning Commission and all the Members of the Committee. A committee constituted to finalize the Master Plan. Comments of State Governments awaited.
2.

Sub Group – I constituted to address Transmission, Sub-transmission and Distribution related issues. This Sub Group shall devise and recommend a methodology for technical and financial assistance to the N.E. States.

Sub-Group I to submit its report within three weeks.
Sub Group under chairmanship of Shri V. Ramakrishna, Member (Power Systems), CEA finalized the Draft Report in December, 2007 and circulated to all concerned including State Governments for their comments
3.
Sub Group – II constituted to identify and examine the problems affecting implementation of Rural Electrification Schemes funded by REC in the NE States and to recommend measures for achieving 100% household electrification within a reasonable timeframe. Sub-Group II to submit its report within three weeks

Sub Group-II headed by Shri Devender Singh, Joint Secretary, M/o Power  submitted its report in December, 2007.It was circulated to State Governments and concerned PSUs and agencies for comments.Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyut Yojana (RGGVY) scheme which was implemented in the 10th Plan,   approved ‘in principle’ for continuation in the 11th Plan for an outlay of Rs.28,000 cr.

4.

Sub Group – III constituted to identify and examine the problems afflicting implementation of New and Renewable Energy schemes in the NER and to recommend measures for optimizing use of such schemes for electrification of remote and scattered hamlets and achieving 100% electrification of rural households.Sub-Group III to submit its report within three weeks.

Report Submitted by the Sub Group.

The Report suggested, inter-alia institutional changes, preparation of Annual Plan for promotion of renewable energy, modification of norms of MNRE, viability gap funding by NEC and identification of un-electrified village hamlets.
5.

Sub Group – IV constituted to identify and examine specific problems afflicting implementation of NRE schemes in Arunachal Pradesh and recommend changes.Sub Group to submit its report within six weeks.

  
6.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to undertake feasibility studies for utilizing shale deposits in Arunachal Pradesh and coal deposits in Assam and Meghalaya.

CEA has informed Ministry of Power that they do not have the technical capability in the field of shale and will, therefore, not be able to undertake the feasibility study.

The coal deposits in Assam are being mined by North Eastern Coal Fields Ltd. In Meghalaya, coal mining is done privately and largely in unorganized manner.  Meghalaya Government is preparing policy on the exploration and exploitation of coal deposits in the State. A Committee has been set up under DDG, Geological Survey of India to reconcile the coal inventory in the North East.  Report expected soon.
7.
PGCIL to invest more in the trunk transmission lines for improving inter and intra-region connectivity. Priority to be accorded for creating a grid to meet power shortages in the North Eastern States.
PGCIL has prepared a feasibility report on improving the transmission, sub-transmission and distribution system in the NER for an amount of Rs.12971 crore over XIth and XIIth Plan period. According to the report, the funds required will be 100% grant from M/0 DoNER and the implementation will be in 3 phases. Funds required for Inter-state transmission will be Rs.5173.80 crore & for intra-state Rs.7797.24 crore. It will be on the pattern of 90% grant and 10% loan. PGCIL requested M/o DONER for release of Rs.50 crore for preparation of the DPRs for Transmission,Sub-Transmission and Distribution for the NE region. Meeting held at Minister’s level. PGCIL to prepare DPRs for which funding to the extent of 50% cost to be done by M/o DONER. 
8.
Transmission, sub-transmission and distribution system improvement to be one of the thrust areas for NEC during 11th Plan.

Development of power sector including transmission and sub transmission has been identified as a thrust area in NEC’s annual plan 2007-08 and 2008-09.
NEC has a large committed liability in all sectors including power which needs to be cleared before fresh projects are taken up for funding.

NEC has sanctioned 30 system improvement schemes during the Xth Plan Period comprising 18 sub-stations and 12 transmission line projects. The approved cost for all these projects is Rs. 234.19 crore.
9.
The issue of Gas availability and pricing is a matter of concern. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to resolve the issue of pricing of gas expeditiously.
M/DONER wrote to the Ministry of Petroleum highlighting the issue.
10.
The issue of high transmission charges (35 paise/unit), presently under reference to Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), needs to be followed up by the Ministry of Power and resolved at the earliest.
  
M/o Power has reported that Transmission charges @35 paise/unit were based on the Uniform Common Pool Transmission Tariff (UCPTT) principle of tariff recovery in the NER. Same has been discontinued w.e.f. 1.4.2007 and monthly fixed charges based on CERC norms for tariff bloc 2004-09 are being levied in the NER.
11.
Recognizing the need for continuing assistance to the States for improving their Distribution systems, the Ministry of Power to continue the Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) with the existing norms, guidelines and funding pattern (90:10) for the NE States during the XIth Plan.
Ministry of DONER had taken up the issue with Ministry of Power in March, 2007 highlighting the issue. APDRP programme has been continued in the XIth Five Year Plan with modified norms on 90:10 funding pattern for the NE States.