Power ministers from northeastern states have urged the Centre to increase financial support for the region’s power sector, including a larger share of the 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) earmarked for the Northeast.
The demand was raised during a meeting with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on August 25. NERPC Chairman and Meghalaya Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, Mizoram Power Minister F Rodingliana and Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein attended the meeting along with officials from other northeastern states.
The ministers sought funding for grid modernisation and priority projects, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System (SCADA/EMS) and Emergency Restoration System (ERS).
They also highlighted the challenges of developing power infrastructure in the Northeast’s mountainous terrain, where difficult geography, long transmission lines and dispersed settlements increase construction and maintenance costs.
The ministers called for additional substations in remote areas to improve reliability and continuity of supply.
Mizoram seeks greater GBS allocation
Mizoram Power Minister F Rodingliana urged the Centre to establish a mechanism to ensure that the 10% GBS earmarked by 54 Union ministries for the Northeast is utilised more effectively and transparently.
He specifically sought a larger allocation for power-sector development in the region.
Khattar said he would raise the states’ funding requirements with the Union Finance Minister. However, he said the Centre could not bear the entire cost of all proposed projects and that states would also need to contribute.
The Union minister said the states’ capacity to provide their share would have to be assessed before a comprehensive proposal is taken up with the Finance Ministry.
Centre pushes smart metering
Khattar also urged northeastern states to expedite smart-meter installation and install check meters to help consumers verify meter functioning and billing.
He further called for continued efforts to reduce transmission losses and, where feasible, move towards greater commercialisation of the power sector.
The meeting followed the 31st NERPC meeting held in Aizawl on March 11, 2026. NERPC is a regional body under the Ministry of Power, with all seven northeastern states as members. Meghalaya currently holds the chairmanship, while Mizoram is scheduled to take over for the next term.
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