North Sikkim village demand subsidised electricity rate

Gangtok, Sikkim: People of a village in North Sikkim have demanded that electricity generated by a hydel power project in the area be distributed for community development at the rate of one paise per unit.

Residents of Shipgyer, where the 1,200mw Teesta Stage III is coming up, have already asked the district collector to take up their cause with the project authorities. The villagers want the power to be utilised for “local area development”.

They said the claim was based on a policy of the Union ministry of power and energy. According to a new electricity act, authorities of any hydel power project have to distribute power at the rate of one paise per unit for the local people. The electricity cannot be used for personal consumption, but for community development.

The villagers said their demand was over and above the 12 per cent free power given to the state by Teesta Urja, the consortium of companies developing the project.

Source: The Telegraph