SHILLONG, Sep 15: Various issues plaguing Meghalaya’s power scenario featured on the fifth day of the ongoing autumn session of the Assembly during which state legislators not only cast aspersions on the functioning of the Power department but also called for immediate initiation of remedial measures.
Some of the issues touched upon by the legislators include alleged issuance of bills to households without power connectivity, faulty transformers, unelectrified villages, exorbitant billings, dearth of manpower in Power department, etc.
Moving the motion on the style and functioning of the Power department, Phulbari MLA Esmatur Mominin said Meghalaya, which was once a power surplus, is now bedevilled with severe power crisis.
Arguing that the Power department is in serious financial crisis, the MLA alleged that domestic bills, accumulated for past few years, are being served to people at one go along with warnings of disconnection in case the same is not paid.
Mominin also said that there are instances when villagers are asked to pay 30 per cent of the total pending bills by the department for repairs of damaged transformers.
He also alleged that FEDCO, which is operating in some parts of Garo Hills, is against the interests of the people.
Informing that there are many households that are provided with extremely low voltage, the MLA also asked the minister in charge to inaugurate the 132 KV substation, the work of which has been completed.
He also urged the minister in charge to examine the monthly bills.
Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, on the other hand, referred to the agitation by the MeECL Progressive Workers’ Union, and enquired about the status of the regularisation of the services of casual and contractual employees of MeECL.
Syiem also urged the department to increase manpower and release pending arrears of contractual casual employees.
Urging the government to ensure quick replacement and installation of transformers in villages that have cleared their dues, he said many households under his constituency get bills even without connection.
He also stressed on the need to put in place the much-awaited 132 KVA power station in Nongpoh.
Umroi MLA George B Lyngdoh, on the other hand, said the issue of faulty transformers is prevalent across the state.
“Delaying bill four to five months burdens the households and expecting the households to pay in a week or so is, in fact, the basic problem that has created pending revenues,” he said, appealing for immediate replacement of faulty transformers and end to exorbitant power bills.
He also demanded that the report of inquiry into irregularities in Saubhagya Scheme be tabled in the House.
While Sohra MLA Gavin Mylliemngap highlighted the frequent disruption of power in rural areas and breakdown of transformers, Nongstoin MLA Pius Marwein said there are many villages that are yet to be electrified whilst many still suffer due to faulty transformers.
Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin, however, appreciated the endeavours of the Power department to electrify rural Meghalaya.
He nevertheless informed that few villages in his constituency are yet to be electrified.
Shella MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem said his constituency also suffers from frequent power failures, and asked the department to lay focus on places like Sohra known for attracting tourists.
Informing that there are many new villages that have come up in his constituency, Mawlai MLA PT Sawkmie requested the state government for their electrification.
Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun, in his submission, informed that his constituency also suffers from the issue of frequent breakdown of electricity and non-electrification of many villages.
Mawsynaram MLA HM Shangpliang, on the other hand, suggested that more agencies in the state should be engaged to repair or manufacture transformers.
Informing that there are frequent power cuts in his areas, Rongara Sijju MLA Rakkam Sangma said that due to the non-replacement of faulty transformer, he had to purchase it on his own.
He also said lack of staff has forced people to join in for such repairs.
