Given the unique social-economic, cultural and environmental resource of the state, the department of power, as part of North east region power improvement project, organized a ‘consultation workshop on newly developed Environment and Social Policy and Procedures Framework (ESPPF)’ at secretariat conference Hall here Friday.
NGOs, union body and executives of department attended the workshop.
During point presentation on ESPPF, the power grid highlighted stakeholders analysis on environment issues and social and institutional issues, impacts on social, impacts on environment, policy, legal and regulatory framework, forest conservation act 1980, the world bank, land tenure, RFCTLARRA 2013, project cycle-integrating environment and social issues/concerns and mitigation measure, environment management measures, ESPP and Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM).
Delivering the introductory speech, chief engineer power (T&G) said the state’s present demand was 145 MW and annual consumption was 700 million units.
Lamenting on financial crunch faced by the department, he underscored the need to take grant from Centre and other multilateral funding agencies like the World Bank in order to carry out major expansion and augmentation of transmission and distribution network.
The department stated that its main aim and objective was to supply quality power to all categories of consumers both in urban and rural areas by constructing transmission and distribution lines, sub-stations etc.
To meet these objectives in a sustainable manner, plans have been made by department to prepare an ESPPF to serve as a guiding instrument.
The inadequate power supply remains a constraint to sustainable growth and economic development in the North East Region, it was pointed out.
An interactive session to address concerns and suggestions was carried out. Closing remarks was delivered by SPCU Nagaland Chairman.