Editor,
Meghalaya had a taste of corporatisation with the Meghalaya State Electricity Board getting a makeover to becoming a corporate organisation as Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Limited. But the viability, transparency and technical sustainability of various power projects is suspect. Even after getting crores of tax payer’s money the MeECL has not been able to generate enough power to serve the people. Shockingly everyone one of us are doled out high bills which at times is inflated. The unfortunate part is that the organization being headed by a bureaucrat with little knowledge in electrical engineering instead of a technocrat/management expert to revamp the corporation from scratch. Another factor is the system being saddled with a governmental work culture, instead of having a corporate one. So if anything is to be called for improvement the entire structure and delivery service should change for the better.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
Load shedding timings
Editor,
Given the prevailing power scenario in our state, and the perpetual state of ineptitude that the MeECL appears to be in, it came as no surprise to the public when load shedding commenced recently. Even though the Corporation did not inform its paying consumers (who will be paying even more now) properly, leaving many of us literally in the dark, the public has accepted it as part of life.
What has however, been a cause of consternation, is the unusual and arcane timings in some localities like Jaiaw where the load shedding extends from 10 pm to 12 midnight. I fail to see the logic in this especially when other localities have their lights out at 12 midnight. Does the MeECL expect the people of Jaiaw and such to be in bed at 10pm? Like everywhere else, we come home from work, prepare dinner, prepare our kids for bed and for the next day, and only then, after a hard day’s work, relax. Unfortunately, a candle lit dinner is hardly a relaxing proposition for many of us at this point no matter how good it sounds.
Through your esteemed paper I would like to appeal to MeECL to consider moving the night load shedding timing to 12 am as is being done for other localities, not an unreasonable request I hope. Let there be light!
Yours etc.,
Vinay Khongwir
Shillong 6
Replace the MeECL Chairman
Editor,
In her article “ Meghalaya : Sleepwalking for 41 years,” Patricia Mukhim pointed out that mismanagement is aplenty in the MeECL which begins with the vacuum in the key position –that of Chairman. If I am not mistaken , this vacuum has been there for over three years now and what is baffling is that throughout these years, the person who is also presently the Chief Secretary of the State has been allowed to simultaneously head the Corporation in spite of all the negative outcomes. It seems that those in the Government are contented and happy with this arrangement and have never attempted to ensure that a full fledged Chairman is in place. Kong Mukhim rightly stated that an IAS officer with no managerial experience cannot run a corporate entity. But then there are quite a few senior IAS officers in the state who are very competent, dynamic and aggressive in their approach and have also exhibited very good managerial skills. In a small state like Meghalaya it is not difficult to pinpoint as to who these officers are. Unfortunately they are not considered fit for the post of Chairman of the MeECL because, perhaps, they are not on the same wavelength with our political class and their honourable intentions . Dr Mukul Sangma already made a commitment in the Assembly that the MeECL needs to be revamped if it is to deliver. So the first step he should take is to remove the present incumbent from the post of Chairman and in his place post a full time, competent officer instead as otherwise all intentions to revamp the Corporation will be of no use if he chooses to allow this present arrangement to continue. Actions speak louder than words.
Yours etc.,
Phrangsngi Marbaniang,
Shillong-3
Trucks cause traffic chaos!
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to express my deep concern regarding the traffic congestion in the city in the last few days. The main reason is the large number of trucks that are plying in the city during school hours, resulting in chaos and disturbance in road communication in parts of the city. Many students also arrived late to school. Normally trucks are not allowed to ply during school and working hours, and there are fixed timings for their entry, yet the police does not seem to pay no attention to this matter. As a student myself, I on behalf of the public and my fellow mates(students)in particular, having had to bear such a situation frequently would request the concerned authorities to take stock of this matter and ensure that trucks are not allowed to disrupt the smooth movement of traffic in the city.
Yours etc.,
Mewan Pariat,
Shillong-2.