SHILLONG, May 7: Four pressure groups have petitioned Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for rectification of anomalies within the MeECL before any law-and-order situation erupts.
“The mudslinging within the corporation, the load-shedding, the strings of arbitrary appointments and the outsourcing of stations, to mention a few from amongst, are creating ripples in the minds of the public with regard to the prospect of this power sector which is the lifeline of the entire state of Meghalaya,” the groups comprising KSU, FKJGP, HNYF and RBYF said in the petition on Friday.
Citing some of the issues that require immediate rectification, the groups said that the recent move by the MeECL to outsource 56 of 33/11 KV sub-stations to a company from Noida, M/s Broadcasting Engineering Consultants India Limited, is highly unacceptable to not only them but the people of state.
Arguing that such a move would incur huge loss to the financially-hit MeECL, they said outsourcing sub-stations will create stumbling blocks to the employment generation for local youths, which, in turn, will further aggravate the already-increasing unemployment scenario in Meghalaya.
“Therefore, the social organisations demand the immediate withdrawal of the Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to the outside company and the restoration of the previous norms followed before,” they said.
The groups also said that the appointment of non-local advisers to the Chief Manager-cum-Director of the MeECL, Arunkumar Kembhavi, is illogical as there are other well-experienced officers from MeECL as well as from Meghalaya.
They also demanded the immediate ouster of Manish Gupta, Arkajyoti Bhattacharjee and Sunny Kumar Singh from their positions. “Similarly, we are aware of certain officers who are more senior than the recently appointed Director of Distribution (MePDCL). In this context, we seek the appointment of an eligible and a deserving officer in place of MK Chettri,” the groups said.
With regard to the implementation of Saubhagya Scheme, they said the notion of complete electrification of the state brings a ray of hope to everyone, especially those living in villages and far-flung areas where electricity is a distant dream. However, the groups said that they are yet to see the progress in the implementation of the scheme in various parts of the state.
“It has come to light that a company from outside the state, viz. Satnam Global Infrastructures Limited was tasked with the electrification under the said scheme, thereby depriving local contractors of the state. It has also come to the public knowledge that the scheme was initially estimated at 421 crore but was later increased by a manifold to 931.34 crore,” the groups said. They have also called for a prompt rectification of all the anomalies in the implementation of the said scheme.
With regard to the introduction of smart electricity meters, the groups said that the rate for installation of such a meter is extremely high when compared to other states. “Since the project depends on the network connectivity provided by phones’ service providers, the project would create numerous problems to the public due to the poor network connectivity in state,” they maintained.
Further, they also urged the government to revoke the special tariff to the Byrnihat Industries Association.
The groups also alleged that numerous unfilled vacancies in the MeECL have crippled its functioning. “We are of the opinion that advertisements, examinations and interviews should be conducted at the earliest so as to fill up the vacant posts,” the four pressure groups added.
