By Our Reporter
Shillong: The traditional chiefs of Meghalaya have called upon Union Power minister, M Veerappa Moily, to accelerate the process of complete electrification in Meghalaya.
In a memorandum submitted to the Union Power Minister during his visit to the city on Monday, the chairman of the traditional chiefs of Meghalaya, JF Kharshiing, mentioned that introduction of innovative measures and flexibility in the State would help rural land and home owners to generate their own solar/ hydro electricity to be able to sell it back to the grid, as done in many countries today.
“In view of the huge hydro potential, there is urgent need for amendments and exemptions to the present legislation where the traditional institutions of Meghalaya are capacitated to be active partners in this sector,” Kharshiing stated.
Meanwhile, Syiem of Hima Khyrim Dr Balajied Singh Syiem pointed out that the proposed Umngot Hydro Electric Project on the Umngot River in Hima Khyrim, East Khasi Hills will be a great boon to the area in particular and the State.
Dr Syiem, through the memorandum, informed Moily about the State Government’s plan to construct the proposed hydel project with financial assistance from the Centre, which would submerge large tracts of land under the possession and cultivation of the people of Siang Khnai, Mawjatap, Mawlang, Syntung, Pashang, Umsaw, Mawsir, Mawdulop, Ksan Ryngi and other villages that will deprive their immediate livelihood.
“We all need the power generation from the proposed project but the vital issue of relief and rehabilitation of the affected people are to be taken care of in a transparent, efficient and effective way so that justice can be delivered to the people whose collective consent is necessary before the dam is constructed,” the Khyrim chief said.
Meanwhile, the traditional chiefs also called upon Moily to open more traditional border haats (markets) along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
According to Kharshiing, Meghalaya shares an international boundary with Bangladesh and allocation of special funds for creating the necessary infrastructure such as a four-lane highway along the international border would uplift the economic conditions of the border residents.