Editor,
The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) is undoubtedly one of the most essential and basic service providers in Meghalaya. It’s fundamental responsibility revolves around the supply and distribution of electricity to each and every household of every resident of the state. Logically and realistically, it should ideally be the top-most priority of a sensible state government to ensure that such an essential public institution should not go through any inconvenience. Furthermore, a wise state government would not, in any way, draw bitter contempt and hatred from the employees of such an essential service provider and would sensibly not play a dare game with them lest the entire state goes into a darkness and chaos.
The MeECL Union had recently threatened total shutdown. Can we imagine the entire Meghalaya going dark even for a day? I shudder to think of it. Based on the facts and figures brought by the MeECL Union members it is evident that the State Government has failed miserably and mismanaged the MeECL to the ground. Several crucial problems are at the core of the MeECL dilemma. It is such an embarrassment and filthy shame that the Board of Directors of the MeECL have become mere spectators and lame-duck officials oblivious of the plight of their own employees. It is a filthy shame too that the Board of Directors are not doing anything to address the desperate cry for help of their own employees. Nothing positive has been reported in the newspapers and public forums so far in this regard.
Critical lapses which include, inter alia, loans (sometimes unnecessary loans) taken by the MeECL which have increased exponentially, pending electricity bills in lakhs and crores of rupees owed by several industrial houses and commercial establishments which remain unrecovered to this day due to apathy of MeECL top-brass to initiate action, non-payment of salaries of working employees for the past two months; non-payment of salary of pensioners; delayed disbursement of salary of workers and pensioners and a whole lot of other critical problems plague the MeECL.
As keen and informed observers, we often ask ourselves, when did the trouble at MeECL all begin? In the past, we heard stories of how the erstwhile MeSEB was one of the most sought after public institutions for employment because of efficient management, good work ethics, timely disbursement of salary and other positive comments. So what went wrong? One thing is crystal clear – the MeECL has plunged to an all time low today. I am especially appalled to see the inhumanity and ruthlessness of the State Government and the Board of Directors of MeECL in handling the matter of disbursement of pension to the erstwhile ASEB/MeSEB employees. These pensioners have given everything in service to the people of this state. These pensioners can no longer look for any jobs now and depend on their pension for their very existence. Some pensioners stay all alone; some are widowed; some have grave medical conditions, besides other problems. So how does the State Government expect these poor, old souls to live a day longer without financial sustenance?
The MeECL top-brass, the powers, that be in the Power Department and the CMD have failed terribly in the administrative arena in dealing with the MeECL crisis. Nonetheless, there is still time for the State Government and the MeECL top brass to address each and every problem of the employees. Let’s be practical and sensible – not one demand of MeECL employees is unreasonable. It is based on their statutory rights as employees of the Corporation. They have their constitutional rights to protest under Article 19 of the Constitution. Their demands are sensible. Timely salary is needed to feed themselves and their families. Ministers and IAS/MCS officers get their salaries on time and live luxurious lives, but MeECL employees are slogging to survive! What discriminatory and step-motherly attitude is this?
The State Government should find a quick and lasting solution to the plight of the MeECL employees. A word of advice to the State Government – salary will always be the prime motivator for any government employee. The logical inference is that when there is no salary, a government servant loses interest in his work. Even if he does work, he will do so half-heartedly and this attitude is very dangerous especially in a power sector which deals with real human lives.
To conclude, I sometimes wonder where the so called “leaders” of the Jaidbynriew such as the KSU, JSU, JYF, GSU, FKJGP, HYC, etc disappear when these matters come up for consideration. Are there no Khasi, Jaintia or Garo employees in the MeECL? Similarly, where are the so called intellectuals of Shillong who speak posh English and mingle with high political and bureaucratic circles and who claim to represent Meghalaya’s metropolitan image? Does the MeECL issue not merit their voice? In whatever small way I can, I express my solidarity with the plight of the MeECL workers and wish the union leaders good health to fight onwards. The State Government should listen to the MeECL employees’ demands and resolve their problems immediately.
Yours etc
Jeremiah S,
Via email
Oppressive attitude !
Editor,
Through this letter, we the student community of Mawkhar express our deep anguish, frustration and anger over the selfish attitude of the labourers of the Rangbah Shnong’s daughter’s bakery, Mawkhar.
For the last two years, we students are facing a lot of disturbance and distractions caused by these labourers. Now with the pandemic, things are worsening since we have to attend to online classes from home. There are days when in the middle of the class, while giving presentations, you‘d hear these people shouting /calling each other at the top of their voices and that too ending each sentence with a cuss word. Every day, be it morning, noon or evening/night time, they have peculiar ways of talking, like sending signals to the residents that that they are there and no one can stop them. They talk in tones which make you want to shut your ears and shut everything that you can until they finish talking. It does not end here. There’s also the music which is being played since morning and at such a volume that by evening your head actually spins. Who doesn’t listen to music? Everyone does. Music when played at the right decibel gives one a calm, relaxed and soothing effect. But these people are doing just the opposite and are purposely causing mental agony to others. They don’t care for the sick or for those who are studying; elderly people taking a nap, babies sleeping, etc.
The behavior of these people makes us wonder if they are a pack of hooligans or simply cheap labourers with nothing in their heads except to cause suffering to others. Yes many people are suffering because of these labourers.
I often wonder why the owners don’t say anything about this. Is it because they consider themselves high and mighty and therefore they can get away with anything? There are nights when at around 1- 2 am the sound of cars and loud voices can be heard; so loud in fact that one who is in a deep sleep is rudely awakened by the noise. Sadly, no one dares say a word or they’ve had it. A proof of this is when the next door neighbours tried to say something about the noise! The kind of words used to answer them back made one wonder whether these people are indeed civilized. We wanted to side with these poor neighbours but dared not as these people are arrogant and selfish. Trying to reason with them would certainly be a waste of time.
Yours etc,
Student Community Mawkhar,
Name withheld on request
Via email