ASU pulls up department for erratic power supply

KOHIMA — The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) stated on Friday that they have yet to receive regular power supply despite having served a 48-hour ultimatum to the Power Department to resolve the issue.

At a press conference held at the ASU office in Kohima, union president Mhasimhalie David Mere, said that it has received several complaints from students and the public about irregular power supply.

The student body has placed volunteers to provide real-time updates on the situation, and accordingly, the matter was taken up with the department through a representation on Feb. 7, highlighting the need for regular power supply during the HSLC and HSSLC examination period scheduled from Feb. 12 onwards.

While a 48-hour ultimatum was served, the Kohima division of the power department responded on Feb. 8, stating that there is shortage of power from the source itself. The ASU was also informed that the government’s approval for procuring additional power supply ranging from 7MW to 60MW is still awaited, Mere said.

Unsatisfied with the response, the ASU president urged the department to provide regular power supply especially during the exam period, and said that the union is prepared to take further action if the government does not take address the matter.

ASU general secretary Vimeyiekho Vitso underscored that students are facing issues with exam preparations due to erratic power supply.

Vitso said that three officials deputed by the power department met with the ASU and said they understood the grievances of the students, and as a result, a proposal for additional purchase of power has been put up to help the students.

Stating that it is the moral duty of the union to represent the students of the state as a whole, and not just the Angami students, he said that the issue is not new in the state. Student bodies raise the issue every year, so the department should prioritise the matter, he said, adding that the union would go to any extend, if the matter is not addressed.