SHILLONG, July 4: Citing several ‘irregularities’ within the MeECL, Congress Spokesperson Zenith Sangma has reiterated the demand for removal of Power Minister James Sangma to pave way for a “free and fair” inquiry into the alleged corruption.
“I don’t understand how the Power Minister, James K Sangma, and NPP could say that I have the apprehension that he might influence the Inquiry Commission headed by a retired Judge and justifying his continuance as Minister i/c Power,” Zenith said in a statement issued here on Sunday.
Pointing out that the allegation of corruption was not only levelled against the former CMD but equally against the power minister as well, the Congress MLA said, “The Minister is the head having the supreme executive power in the Power department. Therefore, it is obvious that anybody in that position can destroy or manipulate the evidence or tamper the submission of the relevant documents before the Inquiry Commission.”
Maintaining that he is not against ‘Self Identified Project’, Zenith reasoned that the way the EOI (Expression of Interest) was floated is incorrect. “Yes, we want developers to come and invest. But the EOI should have been at proper time not during the time when the state is having complete and partial lockdown because of COVID pandemic. There is every chance that this can also be another scam. Therefore, I just cautioned the government. As it creates suspicions that there can be mala fide intention,” he added.
Alleging that the minister has always ignored the interest of the people, Zenith further said, “What is the logic in awarding all the contract works to the outside companies/firms on turnkey basis at very exorbitant rates, who in turn re-allotted the same works to the local contractors (as sub-contract) at the lower rates?”
Talking about the appointment of advisers to the Power Minister and the former CMD, the Rangsakona MLA maintained that they are appointed “without any salary or remuneration and even TA/DA are not applicable, whereas their duties and functions are enormous”.
“There is no proper engagement to increase the revenue of the corporation. Now the monthly revenue collection is around 80 to 85 crores whereas the monthly expenditure is around 110 crores. The MeECL has been put into dept trap,” he maintained.
Stating that the former CMD had claimed that in the month of June, the generation capacity increased from 60 MW up to 150 MW (approx), out of 356 MW of installed capacity, he opined that the revenue must also have been increased.
“So, what is the revenue collection in the month of June, 2021. I want the reply from the Minister of Power on all these above queries,” he said.