By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 17: The state government on Thursday turned down the plea of Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) for a specific probe into the implementation of Smart Meter Project that was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Raising the issue during Question Hour on the final day of Budget session of Assembly, Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma said the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry, instituted by the state government, is not specific to this particular issue.
He said the government should have taken cognisance of the background and the circumstances. The current probe should have been specific to Smart Meter Project. Had that been done, the inquiry report and the time taken by the commission would have been faster, he felt.
Sangma also said that the whole narrative and conversation in the state emanating from the implementation of the project is utterly specific to this programme. He said the government can instill confidence among people by ensuring a separate inquiry to go into the details of smart meter.
In his reply, Power Minister, Prestone Tynsong referred to the terms and conditions of the inquiry commission.
According to the terms and conditions, all major procurement covering the need as well as the process, including fairness in the framing of tender clauses, terms and conditions, the inquiry should cover the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited’s (MeECL) own procurement as also major procurement made under central government-sponsored scheme, state-funded scheme and externally-aided projects.
Pointing out that the terms of reference is clear, he requested the Leader of Opposition to wait for the report.
Sangma appreciated the setting up of the inquiry panel and said it will give a lot of insight so that corrective measures can be formatted for the future.
He said while he can be patient, the government has to take cognisance of the concerns of people and insisted that after the submission of the report by the commission, if there is any reason to believe the whole focus of inquiry has been diluted in as far as the specific matter is concerned, then the government should proceed with an independent inquiry specific to go into the details of Smart Meter Project.
Stating that he failed to understand why the Leader of Opposition is insisting, Tynsong said the terms of reference as far as procurement is concerned is specific, be it ADB project, Saubhagya or anything. He assured that nothing will be hidden from anyone.
Meanwhile, raising a supplementary question, Opposition Chief Whip and Umroi MLA, George B Lyngdoh asked if the project, which is being implemented, will not affect the process of probe.
He asked what will happen to the Rs 51.85 crore that has been spent under the project if anomalies are detected during the course of inquiry. Tynsong replied that the security deposit is a part payment.