The Hindu reported that Department of Public Enterprises has given its concurrence to upgrading of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation as a Schedule ‘A’ company from its present status of Schedule B.

Department of Public Enterprises said that Schedule ‘A’ is a recognition of national importance related to a compensation structure which is a pre requisite to getting mini Ratna and Navratna status that allows for greater autonomy.

NEEPCO is a Central Government public sector enterprise set up in 1976. It has an installed capacity of around 1,130 MW that meets around 60% of the energy needs of the eight North Eastern States.

NEEPCO has embarked on an ambitious expansion program and has six projects on hand that are expected to add an additional 1,380 MW by 2012. In addition, another six projects with a capacity of 3,000 MW are under examination. NEEPCO has made a proposal to the Assam Government for a joint venture to set up a 480 MW coal-based power project based on the State’s Margherita coal reserves and another proposal to the Meghalaya Government to set up a 500 MW coal based project based on the State’s Garo Hills coal reserves.