Editor,
The citizens of Meghalaya are madly enraged by the current load shedding. And justifiably so! The moot point however, is that both the Governmental authorities as well as the public are at fault. The Government is at fault because it gives no priority of going into the root causes and deeper malaise of the problems which have been afflicting the organization perennially. The public is at fault because it merrily forgets about the load shedding when things are normal. Also , Government’s position on the load shedding subject, only on the basis of management of financial loans and power purchase, is like treating only the symptoms and not the disease. Cancer needs a treatment for cancer not for cough and cold. Or the public can let out its visceral from time to time till kingdom come!
Just before Christmas last year I had contributed to this newspaper a two part op-ed captioned, “What ails MeECL and its subsidiaries – an indepth analysis . Hope the following summary will help.
MeECL assets in the form of land worth office building, school buildings, inspections bungalows, residential bungalows etc., are valued in multiples of crores of rupees. Not to speak of dams, power house, power stations , sub stations and human capital itself. This signifies that the organization is not poor.
On the liability front, financial liabilities top the list and made worse by the disproportionate size of regular employees, contractual employees and pensioners which all erode the financial capacity of the organization. The lack of professionalism in preparation of timely DPRs (detailed project reports) which led to cancellation of work orders is another malaise. Then there’s political interference in personnel management, procurement, award of contracts etc. Toxic nexus of vested interest and personal aggrandisement; politicization; unrest and agitations and what have you have only querred the pitch further.
Upgradation and maintenance of infrastructure to make them viable has remained amiss. For example the Myntdu – Leshka project’s inability to generate the projected units of power. The Unit I of Umiam – Umtru Stage IV had led to loss of crores of rupees in revenue. (Reference , Malcolm Roy report and recommendations on the issue).
There are losses which are both financial and technical such as power thefts, inadequate billing and inadequate realization of dues. Non compliance with the Electricity Supply code and non-separation of accounts between MeECL and its subsidiaries since the unbundling have added to the mess. Lack of expertise in vetting of contracts is another major problem.
The public should also know that there is a super body sitting on top of MeECL and its subsidiaries. It is called the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC).Whether this super body is doing its job as per the Electricity Act of 2003 or just determining tariffs is a question that needs answering. And then some of its employees don’t even retire .
My humble submission is that Government should appoint an independent committee with a mandate to comprehensively look into the functioning of MeECL and its subsidiaries and come out with concrete recommendations. Also to examine the entire gamut of the power sector industry in Meghalaya . Generating thermal power from the abundant coal available in Meghalaya under legal mining and using clean energy technology is an option. Also there is need to harness the enormous potential of renewable energy like solar and wind energy .
The primary aim and objective of all these exercises is to provide smooth power supply. Only then we can talk about long term dreams (not just rhetoric) of Meghalaya becoming an IT and Digital hub, thereby optimising the potential in multiple-types of tourism and hospitality sector and the smooth functioning of MSMEs etc .
Yours etc.,
Rudi Warjri,
Ex – Independent Director, MeECL etc
Via email
Women not the weaker sex
Editor,
International Women’s Day observed on March 8, saw a celebration and recognition of women who have carved a nich e for themselves in the society, driving home the message for the need to empower women. I, for one look forward to the day when all women from any background, community, religion, caste and class would be appreciated and celebrated in this world. As of today, though we are in the 21st century, girls and women are still subjected to discriminations and prejudices at home, at school, at work, in the streets, etc. Yet, what provides one with a ray of hope was a pooling of thoughts with young minds, especially boys who were of the opinion that the stereotypical statement of women as the weaker sex stands corrected. They belief that women are weaker than men is a wrong stereotype as many women have touched the pinnacle of success in almost all spheres that are usually dominated by men, be it sports, education, statesmanship, politics, judiciary, etc. Even in the para military, women are not left behind. They walk hand in hand with their male counterparts. These boys also realise that in their homes it is their mother who gets up first and again it is their mother who is the last to sleep in the house as she has to complete her household chores.
Interestingly, they are aware and are conscious that the role of a mother is not the only role that she plays. Besides being their mother, she is also a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a daughter-in-law. From dusk to dawn her life revolves around her hearth her home, her family, her duties and responsibilities at home and even at work. If she goes to work, she makes sure that her other engagements at home are completed. She comes back from work and immediately steps into the role of a care taker. She does her duty diligently so that her family members should not experience any discomfort. As a working woman and a home maker she balances the two perfectly well.
I believe that if young people both boys and girls are sensitive to the efforts of their mothers it is definitely a good start. After all, as the saying goes; charity begins at home. If respect and appreciation begins at every home, women would find this word more beautiful and comforting. For a wife, there can be no bigger support than the love, and adoration of her husband, for a mother her children means the world to her, for a daughter, an equal display of love from her parents boosts her morale and confidence, for a daughter-in-law, the respect of her in-laws wipes away feelings of strangeness and alienation. Can each one of us open up our hearts and mind and appreciate the being called “woman?”
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email