Editor,
This refers to the letter published in your esteemed paper (ST March 31, 2021), where L. Kharbithai had praised the CMD, MeECL for the surprise check at Byrnihat Sub Station that supplies electricity to the industries in those areas. This surprise checked was done on January 26, 2021. As we are all aware, prior to this i.e. on the January 15, 2021 the AEE (Vigilance) along with the MTI engineer had caught red handed Shree Sai Prakash Alloy (P) Ltd for connecting a tampering device to reduce energy consumption. As per IE Act, 2003, the AEE (Vigilance) promptly filed an FIR at Byrnihat Police Outpost and also served the compensation bill of Rs 3.48 crores. Surprisingly, the CMD, MeECL waived off 50% of that amount. The questions that need to be asked here are:
- If the CMD on his surprise check found that there was electrical theft, then what kept him from filing an FIR at Byrnihat Police outpost as was done by the AEE (Vigilance) earlier?
- Why the CMD did not call for an explanation from the concerned field engineers?
- Why inform the press after a lapse of so many days?
- Kharbithai has also urged the CMD to find out more about the scams for purchase of poles and other equipments. For the knowledge of the writer, MeECL has a fixed rate for all materials and equipments duly approved by the Board of Directors of MeECL. All the estimates are based on this rate only. He/she should also know that the materials lying unused as he alleged are of the Saubhagya Schemes for village electrification where the supply and work is being executed by M/s Satnam Global Infra Ltd, where the prices of these materials are 50 to 100 % more than the approved rate of MeECL. Also this same firm has got the work of another central scheme namely Enetrprise Resource Planning (ERP) Project where the rate quoted by M/s Satnam Global are way too high than the market rate. For example, the cost of Work Station PC that comprises a computer table, chair, UPS is Rs.3,36,300 each and that of the Network Laser Jet Printer is Rs.1,19,888 each.
Let the CMD and the State Government call for a CBI enquiry right from the energy theft at Byrnihat Industrial Estate and to the different central schemes where the cost of the equipments are way beyond the estimated amount.
Yours etc.,
- D. Lyngdoh
Contractor & Supplier, MeECL
Shillong-5
Cut the flip-flop!
Editor,
The British left a long time ago! What the city desperately needs right now is a park that will provide a breathing space for city dwellers. The city has become increasingly congested and what everyone needs every now and then is a park that will enable them to relax and rejuvenate themselves. What the MLA from Pynthor-Umkhrah said about Golf Links stems from an elitist mindset. We don’t need a new set of colonizers in the form of politicians and bureaucrats who will set rules which will suit their elitist lifestyles. If the Government is concerned about public welfare then it should make sincere efforts to try and convert Golf Links into a park. Once that happens the concerned authorities should plant more trees so as to make the park a haven for people longing for a breath of fresh air. I once saw a documentary about Chapultepac, the largest city park in Mexico City. The park has done an incredible amount of environmental good to the city dwellers. It is an ecological lifeline to the people of Mexico City. Such incredible natural landmarks should inspire the concerned authorities in our city to make an effort to breathe fresh air into a city which has regressed into a polluted and congested city with each passing day.
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
Road in dire need of repair
Editor,
The residents of Sanker-Mawroh-Umshing-Mawkynroh are facing insurmountable problems as the road from Mawroh junction (Soul’s Kitchen point) to Mawkynroh junction (Nehu-Mawtawar road) is in very bad shape and is in urgent need of repair. The road is in such a pathetic condition that there are potholes all along this stretch, even as the road is undergoing earthwork for widening. There was some ray of hope a few months ago when there was earth cutting in full swing. However it is very sad to say that the work for the past few weeks is extremely slow for reasons unknown. The public has to put up with the dust and the nearby buildings are covered in red/brown dust. Through this write up I request the construction firm, whether it is the PWD or a private firm to please speed up the work before the rainy season starts as the road will be difficult to drive then because of mud and slush. It was reported in a vernacular paper more than one year that 12.50 crores has been sanctioned to re- lay the road from Mawroh to Umjarain from the Central Road Funds. There have been many inspections conducted by the PWD officials and also by the respected MLA, PT Sawkmie. However, the work is moving at a very slow pace. Presently, the road is in bad shape and all I pray through this letter is for the PWD to do some minor repairs to make it pliable till the major reconstruction is done. Residents along this stretch also need to voice their concern for common public welfare.
Yours etc.,
Reward Rymbai,
Umshing-Block 2.
Mawlai
Kudos DC’s Office Shillong!
Editor,
I take this opportunity through your esteemed newspaper to extend my sincere appreciation to Ms Isawanda Laloo, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills under whose able leadership we have seen the DC’s office, East Khasi Hills becoming more people-friendly and more engaging through virtual platforms. Through personal experiences, I have seen that the e-communication department of the DC’s office has become much more accessible, and the action taken by it has also been very prompt and satisfactory. These days, one does not even need to visit the DC’s office for their various works as most have been solved online. Furthermore, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Ms. Balakyntiew Ranee, MCS, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, who has been extremely efficient in dealing with matters of issuing important certificates such as Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, PRCs, Residence, etc. Under Ms Ranee’s charge, we have seen that the time gap for disposal of applications has significantly reduced and errors minimised, unlike past instances where, to be frank, innocent citizens were harassed at every turn for getting their work done by the past dispensations.
Such competent officers give us hope that things will indeed turn out for the better in our State. They act as role models for all civil servants, present and future.
Yours etc,
Keith Nongsteng
Via email