Junior officer heads MeECL as power crisis continues

SHILLONG: Despite the cabinet discussing the power scenario and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma holding a separate meeting with the MeECL officials, the state government is yet to arrive at a concrete solution to the issue.
Unlike the past when the IAS officers, especially the chief secretaries used to head the MeECL, there is criticism over government appointing a junior officer to look after the affairs of MeECL during the crisis.
Though the government has reduced power cuts for a few hours under pressure from various quarters, a permanent solution is till awaited.
An official source admitted that MCS officer A. Nikhla continues to hold the posts of Director, Corporate Affairs, Director HR & A and Chairperson-cum-MD, MeECL and its subsidiaries.
In addition to the assigned tasks at MeECL, she has to look after Home (Passport), Prisons, District Council Affairs and Power departments.
Sources said that the government should have appointed an experienced administrator to look after MeECL to find ways and means to address the power shortage besides increasing revenue.
The sources added that the government should show seriousness in improving the power sector.