No plans to privatise MeECL: Mondal

SHILLONG, Jan 23: The state government has categorically dismissed any plans to privatise the financially challenged Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), Power Minister AT Mondal told a Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) team.
The KHNAM delegation met the minister on Thursday to seek clarifications on issues affecting the corporation and its consumers.
Mondal said there is no move to privatise the MeECL and that the government is working to address the corporation’s financial troubles.
However, the minister acknowledged that MeECL is facing significant difficulties in the bill collection process. He said that of the two firms entrusted with this task, SAI Computers has been performing well while FEDCO has been encountering some issues.
Mondal revealed that the government has initiated the process of issuing show-cause notices to FEDCO and is addressing the problem formally.
Another issue raised by KHNAM during the meeting was the high cost of procuring smart meters.
Mondal pointed out that the rates offered to the state are significantly lower than the discovered rates, and the state government has already written to the nodal agency for further clarification. The government is planning to write to the Centre to seek further guidance on the matter.