TURA: At a time when the State is facing acute power shortage, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) has found itself in a spot for supplying power to ghost companies resulting in loss of crores of rupees in revenue.
A reply to an RTI application filed by the A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO) revealed that three private companies – M/S Virgo Cement (P) Ltd Damas, M/S Billenium Cement (P) Ltd Damas and M/S Capricorn Stone Product (P) Ltd Mendipathar – have outstanding bills. While Virgo Cement alone owes MeECL Rs 35,83,454, Billenium Cement and Capricorn Stone Product had outstanding bills of Rs 1,30,37,933 and Rs 13,22,643, respectively.
When the youth body conducted an inspection it was found that two of the companies, the Billenium Cement at Damas and Capricorn Stone Product at Mendipathar were ghost companies and did not even exist. AYWO has demanded that an inquiry be conducted into the matter.
“The State is reeling from serious power shortage and the Power Department is recklessly giving connections even to ‘ghost companies’. It should be inquired. AYWO demands that officials involved should be booked instantly,” AYWO general secretary Sengbath Ch Marak said.
While questioning how the department could give due clearance without ascertaining the existence of the companies, Marak sought to know who gave the clearance orders for the electrification of the said companies and who the supervising officials were.
AYWO in its complaint to the Additional Chief Engineer of MePDCL, Western Zone, said when the corporation could efficiently stop power thefts in the region why could not it take action against these companies.
“The crackdown on illegal electricity connections is commendable but when it comes to cracking down on private industries, the entire department is tightlipped. If common people’s lines can be disconnected for defaulting payments, the same should also be done to these companies,” it said.
The organisation urged the concerned authority to do the needful regarding the matter and warned of seeking legal recourse in the absence of any action.
It demanded that FIR be filed by the authority against these erring companies at the earliest, punish all officials involved, outstanding bill of the three companies be recovered and to disconnect power to these companies or refrain from doing the same to the public.
