SHILLONG: As the State struggles to cope with the ongoing power crisis, the UDP, fearing a scam, has demanded a CBI probe into the multi-crore Myntdu- Leshka Hydro Electric Project (MLHEP) even as the opposition party slammed the MeECL for its inability to successfully operate the project.
Leading a sit-in demo in protest against the unprecedented load shedding in the State here on Tuesday, UDP working president Jemino Mawthoh also called for the immediate resignation of Power Minister Clement Marak on moral grounds besides calling for a complete revamp of the functioning of the MeECL.
The UDP leader also questioned the huge escalation in the cost of the MLHEP from the initial Rs. 300 crore to almost Rs. 1300 crore.
The UDP, Mawthoh said, is alarmed at the prevailing situation and accuses the State Government of handling the situation in an insensitive manner.
The opposition party also called for a white paper from the government on the power scenario in the State. It also slammed the government for not having a ‘back-up plan’ to deal with the crisis.
The UDP leader also questioned the State Government on the fate of a number of agreements inked with private companies in 2007 to produce power.
Earlier, many UDP leaders and party functionaries ) took part in the sit-in demo with some of the placards reading “Power project or pocket project, we need to know”, “Hello Mr CM, how long you will keep us in the dark?” and “Before power surplus, now power deficit, why?”
The UDP also submitted a four-point memorandum to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma over the ongoing fiasco.