SHILLONG: Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has directed all deputy commissioners to constitute anti-theft committees in villages to address the problem of power pilferage, which in turn leads to damage of transformers.
Speaking at the flagging off of the 10 Meghapower Vans at the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) headquarters in Lum Jingshai on Thursday, Dhar said transformers are overloaded due to illegal connections and hence are damaged but people instead blame MeECL.
“I have asked all deputy commissioners to hold regular meetings with village committees since there are many illegal connections in villages,” he said.
The Minister also launched the newly designed MeECL website, www.meecl.nic.in, where consumers can have access to information on MeECL, electricity tariff rates, new connections and online payment of electricity bills, besides other facilities. The website will also cater to other queries pertaining to consumer affairs.
According to Dhar, his is the most vital department as it deals with every household even as he added that the State Government signed documents with the Centre in 2015 for different programmes of the Centre which intends to provide 24×7 power supply to every corner of the State.
Stating that the Umtru Hydro power project will commission shortly, Dhar urged MeECL to make attempts to address grievances.
“I request all officers to be more responsible as often blame comes on me for any problem,” he said while stressing on the need to efficiently implement all the programmes.
He, however, expressed his happiness over the fact that the officers of the power department and MeECL are working very hard to address the issues of the public.
Website trouble
The MeECL website www.meecl.nic.in that the Power Minister launched on Thursday amid much fanfare remained non-functional and despite several attempts it did not open on Thursday.
