SHILLONG, June 5: The UDP has asked the state government to treat the wounds of cash-strapped Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and not kill it.
“Treat the wounds, not kill the Corporation. No sellout,” UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh said.
He said the UDP prefers abandoning the idea of outsourcing the operation of MeECL units to putting it on hold.
The government had planned to hand over 56 substations to Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited and 25 per cent of Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited’s (MePDCL) operations to REC Power Distribution Company Limited for 25 years.
Mawthoh said handing two power stations – Leshka and Umtru – over to private enterprises will be like selling off the most profitable part of the MePDCL. He warned that there could be serious ramifications in the future.
The UDP had on April 29 written to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma urging him to address the 10 issues of MeECL raised by the party.
Mawthoh said what is required is the proper streamlining of the functioning of this very important sector, which will be a boon, not a bane.
Admitting that issues like power dues and load-shedding have been a chronic problem, he said a beginning somewhere is a must. “A proper diagnosis is required to know what ails the MeECL. It’s not about resolving the issues overnight but sincere efforts and a proper plan have to be there,” he said.
