Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio took charge as Chairman, North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC) on 3rd February 2021. The formal handing and taking over charge from the former Chairman, James Sangma, Power Minister, Government of Meghalaya, could only be done on 3rd February 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic, though Rio had officially assumed the charge on 16th March 2020.

NERPC is the highest forum which co-ordinates various issues relating to Power Sector of all the constituent states of the North East which includes Transmission and Generation Utilities. It added that it is a very important body since all the States and utilities are interdependent on each other in respect of generation, transmission and distribution of power.  It is also responsible for monitoring of energy flow and enforcement of Grid Discipline.

The tenure of the Chairmanship of the NERPC is held on a one year rotational basis of Power Ministers from among the North Eastern States, it added.