From Our Correspondent
TURA, Dec 29: The Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) has issued a clarification over allegations of a power tariff hike across the district of West Garo Hills (WGH), as well as concerns regarding the reliability of the power sector.
The corporation clarified that its investigation into the allegations found the claims 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 April 30, 2025),” stated the release.
The clarification further stated that there appears to be a wrong perception among consumers in Rajaballa, Phulbari, Bhaitbari and Tikrikilla. This, it said, may be due to the streamlining process being undertaken by the new DF to address under-billing and other billing irregularities that occurred during the tenure of the previous franchisee operator, M/s FEDCO Ltd.
“It may be mentioned that during the tenure of the previous franchisee (M/s FEDCO), certain cases were detected where fewer units of consumption were recorded and lower energy bills were generated for some consumers, thereby causing losses to the company. Hence, measures for correct billing are being taken up,” it added.
The MePDCL also clarified that for consumers where meters are installed and functioning properly, bills are prepared on the basis of actual meter readings. For consumers with no meters or defective meters, bills are prepared on an assessment basis as per Clauses 15.1 and 15.2 of the approved tariff.
“So far, there are no such complaints of power or tariff hikes received from consumers in other parts of West Garo Hills, apart from the above-mentioned areas. It is also reported that there are rampant power theft cases in these areas, which need to be stopped to improve AT&C losses,” the clarification added.
On the issue of reliability of the power sector, the corporation said that various initiatives, including the upgradation of existing substations and infrastructure, have been taken up by MePDCL under different schemes.
These include the upgradation of the Hallidayganj substation to 5 MVA x 2 under the ADB scheme, the Phulbari substation to 5 MVA x 2 under NERPSIP, the new Chibinang substation (5 MVA x 1) under NERPSIP, the new Potamati substation (5 MVA x 1) under NERPSIP, and a 33 KV bay extension at the 3.15 MVA Tikrikilla substation under NERPSIP. Work on a new 33/11 KV, 5 MVA x 1 substation at Gutlibari (Rajaballa) under the NERPSIP scheme is also underway and is expected to be completed soon.
“Schemes for loss reduction under RDSS (LR) will also be taken up soon in these areas. Various measures to minimise power interruptions are also being undertaken on a regular basis, except for interruptions due to planned shutdowns for maintenance works, etc. Through this, we request consumers and the general public to understand the corrective measures and improvement actions being taken up,” the clarification added.
