SHILLONG: The industrial units in Ri Bhoi alone is yet to pay a pending amount of over Rs 76 crore as the electricity bills at a time when the state is unable to clear the dues to NEEPCO resulting in frequent power cuts.
As per the reply to RTI query by Tennydard Marak, Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), Umiam said that there is an outstanding amount of Rs.76,58,03,196.79 as on March 31,2013 pending alone in Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi district as many industrial units are yet to clear the amount.
The break- up of the outstanding amount includes Umadutt Industries Limited (Rs 627441.35) KK Beverage Private Limited (Rs 108751.02),Colortak(Meghalaya ) Pvt Limited (disconnected on May 31,2010) Jai Kamakhya Alloys Private Limited (Rs 2 lakh-disconnected on May 25,2013),Meghalaya Bitchem Private Limited( Rs 116775), Shree Sai Praksh Alloys (Rs 175392522), Utkarsh Trexim Private Limited (Rs 31133.08-disconnected since December 17,2013), Satyam Alloys (Rs 8884073-disconnected since June 27,2013) ), Milestone Beverage Private Limited (Rs 471922.10), Umadutt Industries (Rs 77623), Meghalaya Cast and Alloys Private Limited ( Rs 2072990.07), Satya Megha Ispat Pvt limited (Rs 61136442.54-disconnected on March 30,2013), NR Roller Flour Mills Private Limited (Rs 1511325.49-disconnected on December 1,2009), Hindustan Coco Cola (Rs 943650.95), Megha Plast Private Limited ( Rs 6572130.38 allowed to pay in installment ), Timpack Private Limited ( Rs 26996513.62-disconnected on June 3,2009), Yoke Print P.Limited ( Rs 266.72),Kamakshi Ispat Private Limited (Rs 25766485.31-allowed to pay installment), Commercial Iron and Steel Limited (Rs 12079.80), Nalari Ferro Alloys Private Limited ( Rs 3772315.19), Trikutta Ferro Alloys(Rs 1879601.04-disconnected on March 14,2014), Khasi Alloys Private Limited ( Rs 34151.67), Trishul High-Tech Industries ( Rs 16759016.61-disconnected on April 13,2011), Bhram India Private Limited (Rs 8373916.99-disconnected on March 30,2013), Purbanchal Alloys Limited ( Rs 104523988.44-disconnected on June 27,2014),Greystone Smelters (Rs 116650377.2-disconnected on August 21,2012 ), Nezone Alloys (Rs 1664334.88-disconnected since June,27,2012) HM Cement Private Limited (Rs 239241.50), Meghalaya Ispat ( Rs 21816.26), Bimla Ispat Alloys and Private Limited (Rs 171611.36- disconnected since June 27,2013), Anirudha Steel Private Limited( Rs 3512582.37- disconnected since August 11,2009), Seven Sisters Plastic Private Limited (Rs 118431), Gita Ferro Alloys Private Limited (Rs 15096333.65-disconnected since September 19,2007), Janitia Ferro Alloys Private Limited (Rs 58831104.84-disconnected since November 30,2013), Meghalaya Sova Ispat Alloys Limited (Rs 71445349.37-disconnected since July 19,2007), Meghalaya Alloys Private Limited (Rs 51786898.99-disconnected since March 30-2013).
The RTI applicant Marak wanted to know why such a huge amount incurred for the power consumption is still pending and why no measure has been initiated to collect the huge outstanding amount from the consumers?
According to Marak, industries have been allowed to carry on with its activities despite the huge outstanding amount.
“Due to the negligence of the power department, the common people including students, and small business units have become the worst sufferers. The public at large suffered due to inefficient handling of the situation by the department. Whether the department will at all be able to collect the pending amount or the same will go into bad debt account”, Tennydard asked.
According to Marak, this is nothing but a proved case of bad governance of the Meghalaya Government.
“It is equally unfortunate that the Chief Minister and his colleagues were busy watching World Cup Football at Brazil forgetting their priorities leaving the common people in agony,” he said.