Editor,
On Wednesday, 7th April 2021, the President of the Coordination Committee of Registered MeECL (Employees) Associations and Unions (CCORMAU), P. K. Chullet demanded a CBI enquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Corporation. To quote his words “The employees of MeECL are troubled with the irregularities at the MeECL for power theft and other scams.” He also demanded that appropriate action should be initiated against any engineers of the MeECL indulging in malpractices.
The CCORMAU said in a meeting that was held recently they had thoroughly deliberated on the recent events connected with the irregularities and scams in MeECL that have been highlighted in the media which also includes power theft and the CMD’s surprise inspection at Byrnihat area. Is it however possible that rampant power theft in Byrnihat is going on without the knowledge and connivance of members of the CCORMAU? As we all know that technically none of this is possible without the involvement of engineers. If we go by Arju Dkhar and P K. Chullet’s justification, the CMD should have informed the officers and the industries involved in power theft before carrying out the inspection so that they could have prepared themselves. But if this was done, then I am sure, power theft would not have been discovered in the first place because they would have done whatever they could have to cover up for this malpractice and misconduct which has come to light.
It is also interesting to note Arju Dkhar’s dramatic offer to tender his resignation and let go of his terminal benefits. This is startling as nobody in their right minds, especially a government employee would so willingly give up their terminal benefits which will support them in the future after their retirement. So, does this mean he has earned enough from the irregularities and misdeeds unleashed on the public all these years to the extent that he does not need any retirement benefits? One can only wonder.
I am positive the citizens of Meghalaya are smart enough to judge the people working at MeECL. It is time now for the citizens to also raise their voices against these people as well for we all know that certain functions within the Corporation will not operate without their involvement. These malefactors have looted the state for years and enjoyed stealing from the common public by increasing the electricity bills which is a regular affair every now and then.
The deep nexus between the contractors, engineers and the MeECL officials are well known and well established with the Corporation. As a common citizen, I appeal to the Chief Minister to conduct a thorough CBI probe with regards to the matter.
Yours etc.,
Jordan Diengdoh
Shillong – 2
When good deeds become a hindrance to perpetrators
Editor,
The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) has been under a lot of criticism for the poor state of affairs in supplying power to the State. One could initially point fingers and solely put the blame on the current MDA government but looking back at the tenures of the previous regimes, there is not much difference in the functioning of the Department.
This could be due to the fact that the MeECL has huge debts to pay off which has accumulated over the decades. The loans that the Department has taken over the years is really amusing!Looking at the previous regime, the total amount of loan taken rocketed to a whopping ₹ 1629 Cr which is approximately ₹ 203 Cr per year as compared to the last three years amounting to ₹ 166 Cr (approx. ₹ 55 Cr per year) only. This in return is creating a serious problem in running the Department smoothly.
As mentioned by the Power Minister in the recently concluded Budget Session with respect to the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme, it aims to pave the way for consumers to pay off their outstanding dues such as to increase the billing efficiency in the State. The initiative led by the CMD offers waiver of 100 per cent of Delayed Payment Charges (DPC) or 30 per cent of the total outstanding dues, whichever is more beneficial to the consumers.
With the recent news in the media stating that various industries in Byrnihat have been continuously using electricity illegally, this OTS Scheme would in one way prove to be beneficial in bringing these illegal activities to rest. When we say there is a large proportion of consumers not paying their bills, it is somewhat still logical since the amount accumulated for the consumers would not be at par compared to the bills that the industries owe to the MeECL. The Government should strictly follow up on the issue and try its best to revive the dried-up Corporation and bring it to its track.
The CCORMAU has recently argued and questioned the reforms initiated by the Power Department and MeECL authorities. However, they have failed to explain why they are against the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) which will waive off Delayed Payment Charges (DPC) for domestic and industrial consumers to recover outstanding dues. The Association was against giving special tariff to Byrnihat Industrial Association (BIA) but at the same time they conveniently forget to mention that the tariff is not set by the Power Department and MeECL but it is done so by the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC). Quoting the Power Minister in the last concluded assembly “The tariff is revised every year and there are petitions laid down by consumers and as such the consumers can petition the MSERC for revision of tariffs”
It is high time that the irregularities in the MeECL come to a stop. As a concerned citizen I also feel it is time for the people and the Government to work together as responsible citizens and revive the mess that the Department is currently undergoing. Our State cannot always dwell in the same period the MeECL has been going through over the years. It is time for the Department to do away with its lousy work ethics and start anew by putting in place a contemporary system to sort out the wrongdoings within the Department and bring about the much needed change.
Yours etc.,
Abigail Syiemlieh,
Shillong- 1
State in doldrums
Editor,
When one goes through certain traumas and difficulties in life, there is a saying in English which provides hope to the one undergoing the suffering and that saying is, ‘ Have hope, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel’. In Meghalaya’s case, I am afraid, this old saying might not apply as, what with the rampant corruption in most spheres of government and with the power situation being what it is, the light at the end of the tunnel will probably soon have to be switched off. God help us.
Yours etc.,
D.M. Pariat,
Shillong – 3