UDP forms panel to take on MeECL

SHILLONG: The UDP along with the Dorbar Shnong of the various localities of Shillong and the adjoining areas has constituted a joint action committee (JAC) to resolve the problem pertaining to inflated MeECL bills.
Speaking to newsmen after a meeting with the members of the Dorbar Shnong of various localities from Shillong and its adjoining areas here on  Friday, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said that besides the party leaders, eight members representing various Dorbar Shnong were part of the committee.
“We would like to have other opposition parties in the committee. KHNAM has already extended its support to our efforts,” the UDP leader said.
He indicated that the committee was likely to meet the officials of the Power department next week to impress on the need to bring a major revamp in the MeECL.
While highlighting some of the resolutions taken in the meeting, Lyngdoh said that a decision was taken to urge the MeECL to ensure that the billing is done every month.
“At the moment, there are serious anomalies in the present billing system. Besides the irregular billing, there are complaints of excess billing which is totally unacceptable,” Lyngdoh said.
Moreover, the UDP working president said that they have also decided to impress on the MeECL not to charge beyond the fixed rate on the power use per Kilowatt (KW).
The UDP working president said that the spot billing system which is recently introduced by the MeECL in few selected localities is arbitrary, discriminatory and against the interest of the people considering the current economic situation in the state.
He further added that they would also suggest that the MeECL should set up the Grievances and Complaint cell to attend to the various complaints of the consumers on priority basis.