Editor,
Apropos the News item “Power Disconnection from April 16” (ST April 6, 2021) & “8 hour power cut today” (ST April 7, 2021), these continuous power disconnections and load-shedding have totally disrupted life and affected productivity. What with the looming threat of another spell of load-shedding from April 16, it is unfortunate that till date the state has not been able to find a solution to the matter or offer even a token of assurance that a solution is in the offing.
On the brighter side, the increase in revenue collection is heartening. This perhaps, is because of the pro-active efforts of the current CMD, most notably, the surprise inspections carried out in Byrnihat. Now there are many industries in Byrnihat and if perhaps, stricter vigil had been maintained by the concerned MeECL engineers overseeing that area, greater revenue would have been collected. The apparent inaction or selective action of the concerned engineers should raise many uncomfortable questions for the MeECL and its engineers.
As per the latest power dues available on the prapti.in website of the Ministry of Power, Meghalaya shows the highest outstanding dues of Rs 549 crores amongst the North Eastern states. The corresponding figures for Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Sikkim are Rs 131 cr, Rs 98 cr, Rs 21 cr, Rs 2 cr, Rs 90 cr and Rs 93 cr respectively. How did we, among all NE states, manage to accrue such a high outstandings? And that from a ‘once-upon-a-time’ power surplus state! An erstwhile Board that could at one time grant free or discounted domestic electricity to its employees!
In a local language daily dated April 7, the dues of selected companies in Meghalaya were highlighted and the amount works out to approximately Rs 200 crores. Now is it not pertinent to ask why efforts are not being made to make recoveries of dues from these defaulting companies? Again the same paper, on the same day, published the revised electricity tariff wef from April 2021. I am not against revision of tariff per se, but two questions may perhaps be asked; one, why should we, the regular bill-paying public be made to pay for the failure of others? Secondly, why should we be repeatedly threatened with disconnection for non-payment when the fault appears to lie elsewhere?
I fail to understand how the MeECL engineers can demand the removal of the current CMD. Of course, I am not aware of the internal wranglings that may perhaps be present in the organization. However, I may add, is not a pro-active CMD better than a senior, and maybe senile official, who would be so overburdened with his duties that he would not have the physical capacity to undertake tours, let alone surprise inspections? The engineers were also in opposition to the previous CMD because of her stringent action against an errant engineer. Why the opposition? Are they trying to protect their own without reason and now attempting to defend those who may have colluded with the Byrnihat industries or maybe, even the Lumshnong cement industries?
In looking into the various aspects for overhauling an organization, especially one with high expenditure outgo, one aspect that has been overlooked, especially in the context of MeECL, is staffing review. All good organizations practice optimal staffing. It is a known fact that one of the many reasons why PSUs flounder and fail is due to over-staffing. Perhaps it is ample time now for MeECL to conduct a staffing review and cut the flab. In addition, perhaps extreme measures such as freezing certain components of salary may be identified. If that happens and the economic pinch is felt, then perhaps the engineers would not be over-zealous about defending their own black sheep. It goes without saying therefore, that the right people in the right place will add value and bring revenue. I do not know if it is the case now, but earlier, MeECL’s employees enjoyed pay revision once every five years. The State and Central Governments do this exercise once in every ten years.This practice, if still prevalent in MeECL, should be stopped and be brought in line with the state government practice. This exercise would perhaps reduce the expenditure burden to a great extent.
Past policies may have resulted in the current financial position or perhaps even current shortcomings, which could include corruption, may have also contributed to the situation. Be that as it may, the task is clear-cut. We have to pay our dues. Measures have to be taken to ameliorate the situation and both long-term and short-term solutions have to be identified and implemented. Strong political will, identification of problems and solutions, united endeavors, determined implementation and above all, demand of accountability from those responsible must be the cornerstone of our efforts. We must keep on putting pressure, keep on demanding action and keep this issue alive in the public domain so that things improve and are finally resolved.
I iterate, therefore, we the public, must not be made to suffer. Or threatened!
Yours etc,
- Narry,
Shillong-8.
Nothing to celebrate
Editor,
Our state, Meghalaya, will complete half a century of statehood in 2022. That should be an occasion where progress and achievement are celebrated, but an objective evaluation of the state’s functioning throughout its existence paints an extremely grim picture. In terms of numerous developmental and societal indices such as law and order, infrastructure, connectivity, health, education, environmental protection, water supply, electrification, women’s safety, and the safety of the minority non-locals, Meghalaya’s performance has been abysmal.
On the other hand, the state has managed to “achieve” several dubious distinctions. In a comical display of incompetence and misgovernance, Meghalaya has been unable to rebuild its Assembly building for over 20 years. The state has till date also failed to build a single medical or engineering college for its residents. In 5 decades, Meghalaya has developed no semblance of a self-sustaining economy, and it continues to depend upon New Delhi’s grants (doles) for its very survival.
Disturbingly, the situation is worsening daily. Recently there have been frequent power cuts, up to 11 hours a day, as years of corruption and mismanagement in the power sector have finally borne fruit. Crimes against women have seen a sharp spike. Tourism, the only sector which had been showing signs of growth, has been dealt two crippling blows: by the pandemic, and by a sequence of violent ILP agitations. The ILP demand continues to haunt the state, as Meghalaya seeks to become the only state in the country to be granted the ILP, the Sixth Schedule, the Land Transfer Act and reservations.
While other states form Special Investigating Teams (SITs) to investigate serious crimes such as terrorism, the Meghalaya government forms SITs to probe drunken brawls between youths. This speaks volumes about the state of law and order in the state. Due to terrible law and order situation, Meghalaya now also faces a serious labour shortage in the state, following incidents of murderous attacks on labourers. Recently, the Deputy CM admitted to having assaulted non-tribal residents to “show empathy for his own community” during the 1979 pogrom. Were there any calls for resignation or calls for investigation following this incredible revelation? No, of course not. That kind of response happens in well-functioning civil states, not in Meghalaya.
To top it all, our poor, mismanaged, resource-starved state has the highest population growth rate in the nation. The future, unfortunately, seems grim. Let’s hope New Delhi continues to provide doles to fund the state’s existence.
Yours etc.,
N.K. Kehar
Shillong-3