Editor,
It is heartening to read the news that the MDA government is all geared up to overhaul MeECL – “Efforts on to reform MeECL, says Deputy CM (ST, April 1, 2021). Well, the situation in which the state is now, “overhauling” the MeECL is a must. Here one clearly sees that even a “little delay” might further push the state into a more complex situation. A series of unforeseen crises might overwhelm the state, preventing the government to execute the various developmental plans and policies. What’s more, the ensuing slugfest and blind accusation over the failures might further worsen the condition though MeECL’s imbroglio is purely a bad legacy inherited from the previous governments. I think the Power Minister is not wrong in his assertion.
Of course, hundreds of good works initiated by any government will not be “noticeable” when we have a wobbly powerhouse. Does an exceptionally well-furnished apartment not look gloomy and dull if it is without electricity? It’s the responsibility of each of the citizens/leaders to develop Meghalaya in every aspect. Hence given the present circumstances, instead of indulging in a blame game, we had better put concerted efforts to address the vexed power issue at the earliest possible. When we have a brilliant lamppost overhead, we can list out the developmental programs for the state. So, let’s stand together and set a goal to achieve unitedly. I believe, this alone can quickly brighten up the state and cheer up each citizen.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Of vested interests & sinister motives
Editor,
The surprise check carried out by the CMD, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited revealing rampant power theft in the industrial areas of Byrnihat is a commendable and laudable act on the part of the CMD who took such a step to check and also put a stop to the corrupt practices going on in the department. But it seems this surprise check did not go down well with the employees of the MeECL, especially the engineers.
On his visit to Rajabagan sub-station, the CMD carried out a surprise inspection following an anonymous tip-off that there was rampant electricity theft going on in the industrial areas around Byrnihat and the involvement of MeECL officers including engineers. This then revealed that indeed there was a massive amount of power theft in these industrial areas. It also clearly shows that the engineers who are supposed to be performing their duties diligently and sincerely are in fact probably the ones responsible for this power theft to have happened in the first place as technically it is only possible to be carried out by officers and engineers.
However, it seems this surprise visit of the CMD caught the MeECL officials off-guard. Thi is apropos the news report, “Surprise check reveals rampant power theft at Byrnihat” ST March 30, 2021 mentioning that the MeECL employees had then written an anonymous letter on Monday against the CMD, MeECL for carrying out this surprise inspection. One may wonder why an anonymous letter follows immediately after. The simple answer to this can be, that they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar and as such their vested interests termed this visit as illegal. The act by the CMD to not give prior knowledge of his visit also might not have gone down well with these perpetrators. Had prior notice been given the officials and technicians involved in the power theft would have tried to do something quickly to save their faces and hide their wrongdoings. Following this inspection, the CMD MeECL has called for an independent inquiry into the power theft case. He has also stated the he is planning to conduct more surprise inspections in the days to come.
The JAC comprising the MeECL Engineers Association (MEA), the Association of Power Engineers (APOE) and the MeECL Accounts Association (MAA) are known for the series of protests and agitations they have been carrying out, especially since last year (2020). They are also the ones who demanded the removal of Ms A. Nikhla who was the then CMD of MeECL and its subsidiaries. It is worth noting here that ironically, the MeECL Engineers’ Association are also the same ones who served a 14-day ultimatum to the State Government to remove the Power Minister of his portfolio and demanded the appointment of a senior IAS officer as CMD of the corporation within two weeks. It makes me wonder why they are so eager to get their demands fulfilled? Why are so many agitations and protests being carried out by them? Why not work towards bringing a change to the MeECL and the Power Department which is plagued and crippled by so many pertinent issues? With this new-found insight, one can only come to the conclusion that the demand to remove the CMD must be because of the fear of being found out. Fear that their vested interests shall come to the fore and they shall not be able to carry out the underhand activities they have been doing for a long time. The anonymous letter that followed could be another proof of the matter. Hence, at this point of time an independent probe is really the need of the hour.
Yours etc.,
Natasha Pariat
Shillong – 3