Load shedding
SHILLONG: Unhappy with the arbitrary load shedding imposed by the MeECL on the residents of the city, Shillong West legislator Paul Lyngdoh led a delegation of various traditional heads of the ten Dorbar Shnong under the constituency and sought the intervention of Power Minister Clement Marak for restoration of uninterrupted power supply in the localities within the constituency.
The delegation urged the Power Minister to initiate immediate action to avoid the ongoing power cut in the city.
The UDP legislator was of the view that various industrial units and government offices have failed to pay their power dues, but they are being flooded with power.
“Sadly the poor consumers in Shillong city who are regularly paying their dues are facing the brunt of load shedding,” Lyngdoh said while taking to newsmen after the meeting.
He said that if the Government cannot stop the load shedding, they can at least change the timing of the power cuts.
Lyngdoh also informed that the load-shedding which is being imposed from 10 pm every night in the ten localities in his constituency is creating lot of inconveniences for the people. “The timing of the night load-shedding has emboldened various anti-social elements to take advantage of the situation and indulge in anti-social activities, which is affecting the residents of the area,” Lyngdoh said, adding, “The present situation will no doubt affect the law and order situation in the city especially during the election period.”
Reacting to a query, Lyngdoh blamed mismanagement and inefficiency on the part of the MeECL for the dismal power scenario in the State.
“Though the MeECL is a business entity, yet there is no professionalism in its management. It is still being manned by a senior bureaucrat,” he said adding, “We are not demeaning the efficacy of an IAS officer but such an entity should have enough experience and professionalism to head the organization.”
While assuring to look into the demands of the delegation, the Power Minister informed that the government is proposing to purchase power from private parties in the next two weeks in order to meet the shortfall.