SHILLONG, Sep 15: Opposition leader Mukul Sangma on Thursday asked the government to table the inquiry report on the alleged irregularities and corruption in the power sector.
Taking part in the motion moved by Phulbari MLA Esmatur Mominin on the style and functioning of the Power department, Sangma said the mess in the power sector pointed to the mismanagement of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
He said the rural areas have been badly affected because of the non-repairing of damaged transformers.
“We have come to know from officials the department does not have the money to get back the transformers given for repairs. This has made us arrive at the conclusion that the MeECL has been mismanaged,” Sangma said.
He said a commission of inquiry was instituted following a demand from political parties and other organisations to probe the alleged irregularities and corruption in the power sector.
“We want the report. It is binding on the government to table any report submitted before the government after a commission of inquiry has been instituted. Why has this report not been tabled?” he asked.
Insisting that the contract for the installation of smart meters has been awarded to the Global NJPM group at a premium, Sangma demanded a clear reply from Power Minister Prestone Tynsong on the exact price per meter paid to the service provider inclusive of installation charges.
The Trinamool Congress leader also sought to know the fiscal burden of the Meghalaya Energy Power Distribution Corporation Limited for the installation of smart meters.
Enquiring about the fate of the Ganol Hydroelectricity Project, Sangma asked the government to come clean on the alleged manipulated revised estimate of the project and the expected tariff.
In his reply, Tynsong said the state government has sanctioned the procurement of 350 new transformers to address the perennial problem of power outages. He admitted many villages in the state go without electricity for several nights due to the breakdown of the transformers.
He assured the House that the damaged transformers will be replaced by the new ones they are delivered.
On the report of the panel that probed the alleged irregularities in the MeECL, Tynsong assured to send its copy to the members of the House.
He admitted there are villages across the state that are partially electrified and assured their inclusion in the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Tynsong also said the government had in the DPR listed 5,395 villages to be covered under the Saubhagya scheme, but funds were sanctioned to cover 2,697 villages only. The 2,698 villages left out will soon be covered under the RDSS, he added.
Furthermore, he informed the House that the government has decided to reform the MeECL and a full-fledged technocrat will soon head the corporation for bailing the debt-ridden corporation out.
