Editor,
A news report in your esteemed captioned, “Deadline to appoint MeECL Chairman” (ST June17, 20202) as demanded by the MeECL Joint Action Committee is both rational and legitimate. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the MeECL Engineers Association, Association of Power Engineers, MeECL Accounts Association etc have put forward their demand to the state government to immediately appoint a senior IAS officer, not below the rank of Addl Chief Secy as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) in place of the present incumbent who is a very junior MCS officer. The MeECL being one of the important PSUs of Meghalaya carries the responsibility of supplying power which is an essential service to all, irrespective of financial status, besides being an integral commodity for any developmental activity of the state. For such an important PSU a senior officer with experience and a good human resource management experience is imperative at the helm of affairs.
The appointment of a Joint Secretary of the Power Department to such a crucial post gives an impression that the Government does not take the affairs of the power sector very seriously. The recent news appearing in the print media with respect to the functioning of MeECL is an indication that all is not well. This languid attitude of the government in the affairs of MeECL may lead to the Corporation becoming dysfunctional and ultimately to privatization, which ordinary citizens of the state fear that it will affect the people in the long run.
It may be stated that since the time of the ASEB the post of the Chief Engineer was treated as equivalent with that of the Chief Engineer in Government institutions like PWD etc. Moreover, when the post of Member Technical was created in the old MeSEB (now MeECL), the status was higher than that of the Chief Engineer. After corporatisation of MeSEB (now MeECL) the post of Member Technical was trifurcated into three entities viz. Director (Distribution), Director (Transmission) and Director (Generation). The status of these three Directors is equivalent to that of the Secretary PWD, Government of Meghalaya. The rank of the Joint Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya is lower not only to the Directors but also to that of the Chief Engineers. Therefore, appointing the Joint Secretary as the CMD in charge of MeECL, is like asking the higher rank officers to work under their subordinates.
Hence the MeECL Joint Action Committee have rightly demanded what the state Government should have done seven months ago.
Yours etc.,
R L Lyngdoh, M V Kynta
& M S Kharkongor,
Via email
In gratitude
Editor,
I decided to travel to my home – Meghalaya on a caprice when my examinations got cancelled. The officers at Helpdesk were very patient at answering my queries pertaining to the Entry Pass. Next, the personnel deployed at Guwahati Airport were alert, helpful and gave clear directions about the Government taxi to Shillong. The driver was in his PPE, courteous and very kind in passing information about the procedures.
Upon reaching the Byrnihat junction, I was surprised to see the stretch of stalls set up by the State Government to control the spread of Covid-19 in the state. The medical team, policemen and the staff were polite and cautious in the entire screening and testing process. The officials at Umiam check point and at Polo Ground also carried out their duties with utmost diligence.
I was quarantined at IIM Shillong Corona Care Centre for 3 days. I am very thankful to the entire team there, which is working indefatigably to take care of all the returnees to the state. They were at our beck and call for any assistance.
Currently, I am under home quarantine and I am writing this as a token of gratitude to the State Government headed by Mr Conrad Sangma, the medical fraternity, the policemen, the back-end officials disseminating government orders, information and news updates and all the personnel associated with the task of combating the Coronavirus in Meghalaya.
As a young citizen of the state, I implore upon everyone to cooperate with the ‘Corona warriors’ who not only deserve the taali, thaali and flowery showers but our dedicated efforts in social distancing and mask etiquettes, if not more. Let us contribute individually to triumph over the deadly Wuhan virus. This is our duty as well as our responsibility.
Yours etc.,
Priyanka Surana
Shillong -1