Shillong, Mar 14 (UNI) Cricket lovers and students in Meghalaya got a breather after the state government decided to reschedule load-shedding from today.

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power Dr Mukul Manda Sangma told reporters yesterday that power cuts would be would be restricted to three hours from 0300 hours to 0600 hours to allow cricket lovers watch the World Cup and the students prepare for the various examinations.

He said in spite of huge constraints, the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB) has decided to relax the power cut duration. However, the MeSEB may resort to power cut during the day in select areas.

Meghalaya, once a surplus power generating state in the country had to resort to load-shedding from January 16, last after the water level at Umiam dam reservior, the power line of the state had reached its dangerous level.

Though the State has the potential to generate 3000 MW power, the MeSEB had to buy power from outside.

''Full utilisation of state's power is still a distant dream as the State Power Policy is yet to be formulated,'' Dr Sangma said.

However, he said the state government is contemplating to initiate measures to meet the power needs by setting up mini-hydel and thermal power plants and solar energy units.

UNI