Editor,
As the popular saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day,” so also the mismanagement of the affairs of MeSEB, now MeECL, had been there for some decades after it was bifurcated from the erstwhile Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB). With the inheritance of Umiam Dam which served the cheapest raw material i.e. water, for generation of electricity at the Stage-I and Stage-II Power Houses including Umtru Power House, which later on added Stage-III and Stage-IV Power Houses, the citizens of Meghalaya, particularly the employees of MeECL, proudly claimed that in the whole North East region of India, Meghalaya is the only State to have surplus power. As a matter of fact, electricity was supplied to Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) till the Byrnihat Industries, small and large, were established. The defective MoU between the industries MeECL for uninterrupted power supply at a rate that is lower rate than the actual cost of power generation is at the heart of the matter. It necessitated that MeECL supply power to industries by even purchasing power from outside at higher rates.
As the rules and laws are made by man and nothing in this world is unchangeable, this arrangement could have been reviewed and renewed to maintain a balance between both parties- supplier and consumer. The sordid state of affairs of the MeECL in power supply sector and revenue earning sector which are two sides of the same coin, started declining when the Government of Meghalaya could not spare the services of experienced bureaucrats as full-time Chairman/CMD to run the MeECL which is the largest autonomous public sector undertaking in the State be it as a Board or Corporation in terms of business volume, number of employees and most importantly the value of essential commodity – electricity – the importance of which is second to none for the daily needs of human activities and which is integral to the running of all industries.
As to what prompted a political partner in the Government to demand ouster of the Power Minister is best known to them. I prefer not to comment on this matter. However, the demand for transfer of the present incumbent CMD, Arunkumar Kembhavi, IAS, from the MeECL needs to be properly examined. The employees of the MeECL and even the pensioners are expecting lots of improvement in this most important Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). His relentless efforts would need some time more to prove that the MeECL is on the right track of recovery from its long sickness.
Coming to the installation of smart meters it is not the right time to do so now when the MeECL is struggling to pay salaries and pensions on time. The services of the 3000+ employees could be utilized to bring change in the work culture, promoting integrity and sense of belonging to the Organization that feeds them not only while in service but after retirement and beyond to the family members of the deceased pensioner. Human asset is more important than all the other equipments. The management could think of judicious transfers and postings of the employees in the two main sectors of power supply and revenue earnings after proper analysis.
The affairs of the MeECL are mainly run by a team of Directors/Members appointed by the Management and the Government. No single superman is responsible for the mess in the MeECL. In fact, every individual employee has a responsibility to discharge his/her duties with a sense of belonging to the Organization.
Yours etc
Thrumen Sangma,
Shillong.
Bhagat Singh: A forgotten hero!
Editor,
Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, the bravest heroes and true patriots, were hanged on March 23 several decades back. They are icons of India’s freedom movement, and had inspired a generation of youths to fight for India’s independence from British rule. The date of their death is recognized as Martyr’s Day that is March 23 every year!
However, of late we the people, and the governments, have totally forgotten these revolutionary leaders. This year, there was practically no mention of these patriots in the public forums. It is a sad commentary on the people in general and the governments, at the Centre and the States, that we have forgotten the true patriots. At this rate, Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda would also soon be erased from our memories
Yours etc.,
D Bhutia
Guwahati – 24
On being called ‘dkhar’
Editor,
I am a person whose ancestors were born in Shillong. I have always respected people for their character and not their race or religion but I don’t understand the hypocrisy of the society here. When a tribal person is insulted in any part of India it becomes national news. This also shows that people are against such behavior but what about non-tribals in Meghalaya who are insulted by repeatedly being called ‘Dkhar,’ ‘Kharbang’ ‘Khardai.’ etc? I have a name and dignity and should be addressed by my name. The murder of a non- tribal is just news which no one is concerned about. Never has anyone been punished for such crimes. Why this double standard even when there is plenty of evidence and witnesses? What crime has one committed to put up with such humiliation and injustice? A non-tribal person being beaten without any rhyme or reason is the usual scene. This gives more courage to the aggressor. Can they beat the same person outside Shillong? So much for courage! I believe we live in a planet called earth; all are humans and everyone deserves respect; everyone feels equal pain. So I request all right- thinking people to take a step back and let the national media also know that there are criminal elements who need to be punished whether in Delhi or in Shillong or any other North Eastern capital. There should be equal voice for justice for the innocent.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email