The Meghalaya Cabinet on Friday decided to entrust the two power projects, of 57 and 69 MW, in Umiew basin to Mumbai-based ETA Star Infrastructure Limited on BOT basis. The projects would have to be transferred to the Government after the 40-year gestation period.

Deputy CM Mukul Sangma, who also holds the power portfolio, said after the Cabinet meeting that the Meghalaya State Electricity Board had been appointed the Government nominee in all power projects in the state. Sangma said ETA Star would transfer the projects to the state after it realised its investment.

He said that while Kynshi State-11 project has been awarded to Athena projects of New Delhi, Lesha State-11 has been given to SEW Energy Limited. The Simsang Hydro project in Garo Hills has been given to the Seven Sister Energy Limited and the Mawphu project to NEEPCO.

Sangma said the sale of power outside the state had been put at Rs 3 per unit even though the current power tariff is Rs 5 per unit. He said power projects would become an additional avenue for employment. He promised that local contractors would be employed as per the power policy.