Dimapur, August 7 : Peeved with perpetual power disruption to Mokokchung town and its adjoining areas, the All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUM) has served 15 days ultimatum to the Power department with third point charter of demand for immediate implementation. The decision to serve the ultimatum was taken in the presidential council meeting of the All Ward Union Mokokchung on August 4 at the treasurer residence.
The three point charter of demand included immediate installation of circuit breaker in the 33 KV & 11 KV immediately; to provide Mokokchung town and its adjoining area a separate line from the power transmission station at Aolijen, Mokokchung; and to give Mokokchung town and its adjoining area uninterrupted power supply except during natural calamity.
In a representation to the Chief Engineer, Power Department, AWUM Cell pointed out that one of the main causes of such problem was the absence of circuit breaker in the main transformers. What affronted AWUM was the perpetual disruption of power supply despite Mokochung being the highest earner of revenue in the State. “In fact, revenue collection from Mokokchung town and its adjoining areas is the highest in Nagaland in terms of revenue collection based on Power unit consumed and ratio of power consumed,” AWUM Media Cell said.
Moreover, it said Mokokchung town is fully communitised and not a single defaulter of bill in Mokokchung, if at all the UEMB of each Ward in consultation with ward authority was take stern action as per the existing law of the land. For authenticity of the same, it urged anyone to confirm/clarify from the department records/media.
It said the issue of power disruption/ load shedding/ transformer damages etc are not an overnight issue but a perennial one due to which several lakhs are losing each day and irreversible loss to the students community, business community, farmers etc.
Stating that the patience shown by the public are wearing out and might erupt at anytime because of the complete negligence of the department in spite of the substantial collection of revenue, it said AWUM consisting of 18 wards in Mokokchung town would not be held responsible in any manner if any untoward incidents takes place, adding AWUM would neither co-operate nor negotiate if such situation arises.
If this ultimatum is ignored and treated as the previous representations, the first action and the response of the AWUM will be reflected in the functioning of the UEMB as experienced by the Department during the 2012-13 in a befitting and well organised manner this time, AWUM warned.
In a related statement, the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) said the patience of the public is running thin at the snail-paced progress of the Power department and cautioned the latter not play with the public.
Based on the mission and vision statement of the Department of Power which says “power to all on demand” MTLT had demanded in 2015 that necessary machineries/equipment be installed to ensure proper power supply to the people of Mokokchung. It recalled the 2015 incident which took an ugly turn when the public became volatile and reacted with violence.
Stating that that nothing has been done till date, MTLT said it is high time that the Department be in tune with the changing needs of time and adopt upgradations accordingly.
It pointed out that as per the NO.MES/W-20/2015-16/130 dated 21 Nov. 2015, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Electrical Sub-Division, Mokokchung, had submitted the complete requirements to the higher authority. According to the letter, a team of technicians from Crompton Greaves Ltd Calcutta under Mecavo Power Works Dimapur performed survey at the 33/11KV RESS Mokokchung on the 21st November 2015.
It found out that 11KV Bus-Bar was completely damaged and need repair. Besides, defective parts were identified at other feeders viz., 33KV Main Incoming, 11KV Bazar, 11KV Ongpangkong, 11KV Yongpang, 33KV Alichen, 33KV Incomer, 33KV Longnak, 33KV Impur and 33KV Longsa.
The MTLT has strongly questioned the crediblity of the government and demanded immediate repairs/replacements to the machineries in the interest of the public.
It said the failure to perform prompt action in undertaking the repair works was an indication of governmental and departmental failure not the failure of bill paying consumers. MTLT further stated that it is keeping a close watch of all the departmental works and stands by its motto “Always Vigilant” in the interest of safeguarding public interests.
