Tura, Dec 29: The Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) has issued a clarification over accusations made of power tariff being hiked across the board in the district of West Garo Hills (WGH) as well as the reliability of the power sector.
The corporation firstly clarified that an investigation by them into the allegations showed the accusation of a tariff hike to be completely baseless. The clarification comes in the wake of two separate claims published recently on the matter.
“The current Distribution Franchisee (DF), M/s SAI Computers Ltd, which took over the operations of the Sub-Division on Nov 1, 2025, is billing the consumers of all categories strictly as per the prevailing tariff approved by the MSERC and circulated by the MePDCL which is effective from 01-04-2025 (Approved vide Notification no. MePDCL/SE (RA)/71(C )/Pt-IX/2025-26/10 Dated 30th April 2025),” stated the release.
The clarification further stated that there seems to be a wrong perception by consumers of Rajaballa, Phulbari, Bhaitbari and Tikrikilla which they felt was due to the streamlining process being undertaken by the new DF over under-billing and other billing irregularities which happened during the previous franchisee operator (Ms FEDCO Ltd).
“It may be mentioned that during the tenure of previous franchisee (M/s FEDCO), there are certain cases detected where less units of consumption has been recorded and less energy bill generated for certain consumers and thereby bringing a loss to the company and hence the measures for correct billing are being taken up,” it added.
It also clarified that, for consumers where meters are installed and ‘ok’, bills are prepared on the basis of the actual meter readings and for the consumers with no meters/meter defective, bills are prepared on Assessment basis as per clause no 15.1 and 15.2 of the approved tariff.
“So far, there are no such complaints of power/tariff hike received from any of the consumers from other parts of West Garo Hills other than the above-mentioned areas. It is also reported that there are rampant power theft cases in the above-mentioned areas which need to be stopped for improving the AT&C losses,” they added.
On the question of reliability of the power sector in the sector, the corporation added that various initiatives including upgradation of the existing sub-stations and infrastructures have been taken up by the MePDCL under various schemes.
These are the Hallidayganj sub-station has been upgraded to 5 MVA x 2(ADB scheme), Phulbari sub-station to 5MVA x 2 (NERPSIP), New Chibinang sub-station (5 MVA x 1) under NERPSIP, New Potamati sub-station 5MVA x 1 (NERPSIP) and 33 KV Bay extension at 3.15 MVA Trikrikilla sub-station (NERPSIP). A new 33/11 KV, 5MVA x 1 sub-station at Gutlibari (Rajabala) under NERPSIP Scheme is also going on and is expected to complete soon.
“Schemes for Loss Reduction under RDSS (LR) will also be taken up soon in the areas. Various measures for minimizing power interruptions are also being taken up on regular basis except for interruption due to planned shut down for maintenance works, etc. Through this, we request consumers and the general public to understand the corrective measures and improvement action being taken up,” the clarification added.
