Sikkim Krantikari Morcha party spokesperson, Jacob Khaling lambasted the State government for regular power cuts in the State.
He wondered how the State government has been claiming development in the State when the people have been suffering due to irregular power supply. On the same, he asserted that the government needs to be responsible on this issue.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Khaling mentioned that many places of the State have been facing power cuts for the whole day and night and more and it was a serious issue. He added that it was the indication of the declining development in the State and SKM party was very serious on this issue.
He stated that as per the statement of the Chief Minister the target of the State government was production of 5,000 MW power and in which 3,200 MW has already been completed and commissioned in the State.
He added that out of this 3,200 MW power production daily, Sikkim government has been getting 12% of free power supply which is around 400 MW for the State.
Khaling mentioned that as per Power Department officials there was a demand of the power supply of 90 MW in the State during winters and around 35 MW in Gangtok and its surrounding areas. On the same, he raised the question on the regular power cuts in the State despite free power supply of 400 MW to the State.
He alleged rampant corruption on the free 400 MW electricity to Sikkim by selling this free electricity to companies from the outside. He further alleged that the funds provided by the Centre for the distributions and upgradation in power sector, which was revealed by the Prime Minister in his speech at Pakyong, has not been used for the maintenance and upgradation of power transmitters.
He added that the old transmitters have not been able to take any load. Khaling stated that despite regular power cuts the people of Sikkim have been getting enhanced power bills.