By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 3: The MeECL Engineers’ Association has strongly condemned allegations made by the A’chik State People’s Front (ASPF), describing them as a serious case of “character assassination” against officers who, it said, have consistently demonstrated integrity and professionalism.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association expressed concern over a report published in The Shillong Times on September 10 under the headline ‘Group moves MD of MePDCL against errant Tura official’.
Assistant general secretary of the association, Er. Bankerlang Narry, said the article appeared to have been published without verification of facts or without seeking a response from the officer concerned or the Association. The association noted that the officer accused in the report had been officially recognised for his service, having received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Government of Meghalaya during the Republic Day celebrations in 2025 for his contributions in West Garo Hills.
Following the publication of the report, the association conducted an internal fact-finding exercise by directly engaging with the officer involved in the disconnection drive.
It found that the action was part of an authorised, ongoing initiative aimed at reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and preventing revenue leakage caused by electricity theft and non-payment of dues.
According to the association, officers of the Investigation and Enforcement Sub-Divisions are empowered to conduct surprise inspections without prior notice to prevent tampering, concealment or irregularities in electricity consumption. These duties, it clarified, were carried out strictly in accordance with legal provisions.
The association further stressed that the officer’s actions were neither arbitrary nor outside his mandate. The disconnection drive, it said, was conducted under the framework of the Electricity Act, 2003—specifically Section 126, which deals with unauthorised use of electricity, and Section 135, which pertains to electricity theft, a cognizable offence.
“These statutory provisions empower designated officers to act against illegal or irregular consumption. The officer in question acted fully within the law and in the interest of financial discipline, operational efficiency, and legal compliance,” the association clarified.
Reiterating its support for its members, the association cautioned that public misrepresentation, if left unchecked, could demoralise dedicated professionals and undermine institutional morale.
The association added that it remains available to provide factual clarifications and urged that its concerns be taken seriously to prevent further damage to the reputation of its officers.
