Groups protest alleged handover of power distribution to private firm in Mawsynram
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/MAWKYRWAT, April 6: SAI Computer Limited has filed a case in the High Court of Meghalaya after its office in Mawsynram was sealed for lack of a no-objection certificate (NOC) and a trading licence.
Speaking to media persons, Mawsynram MLA Ollan Singh Suin said that local authorities sealed the company’s office because it was operating without proper permissions, including the required NOC and trading licence.
Following this, the company approached the court, arguing that it does not require a NOC or trading licence, as it operates under the MePDCL. The matter is currently under legal proceedings.
Suin further stated that residents from villages under the Mawsynram, Ranikor and Mawphlang constituencies raised objections to the government’s decision to allow SAI to collect electricity bills, alleging that electricity charges have increased significantly, affecting the consumers.
He added that he was unaware of the government or MeECL leasing the responsibility to the company, and only came to know about it after public protests, which revealed that SAI was collecting electricity bills.
Suin also said that the Mawsynram region will witness renewed development once the road from Weiloi to Phlangwanbroi, and from Phlangwanbroi to 18th Mile, connecting the Nongnah road, is completed.
The Detailed Project Report for the road from Weiloi to Phlangwanbroi has been prepared, with an allocation of Rs 191 crore for a 28-km stretch. The road will be constructed with a width of 5.5 metres, according to intermediate road standards, and the tendering process will begin soon.
The project is funded by the World Bank, and villages along the route will benefit from street lights and footpaths. In Mawsynram, the road will branch into two—one towards Station and the other towards Dong Shiliang.
The road from Phlangwanbroi to 18th Mile, with an allocation of Rs 285 crore, has been awarded to the Dhar Company, which has begun work.
Suin stated that once completed, the road will attract more visitors, especially tourists, which will help boost the local economy.
He also said that under the MDA government, Mawsynram has seen significant development in sectors like healthcare. He has proposed the construction of roads to around 10 villages that are still not connected.
Protests rock Mawsynram
Pressure groups from the Mawsynram, Mawphlang, and Ranikor areas, including the HYC, FKJGP, and HNYF, held a public meeting at Mawsynram Market on Monday to protest the government’s decision to hand over power distribution to SAI Computer Limited.
The organisations alleged that the private firm has engaged in irregularities over the past five months, specifically citing a sharp increase in electricity bills that has heavily burdened poor families.
The meeting, which saw participation from Rangbah Shnongs, Seng Longkmie, and residents of the three blocks, concluded with a demand for the state government to immediately scrap the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAI Computer Ltd. The protesters insisted that the MePDCL resume responsibility for electricity distribution.
A signature campaign was also launched during the event to formalise local opposition to the company’s operations.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem criticised the UDP MLAs representing Mawphlang, Mawsynram, and Ranikor for failing to address the crisis, noting that they belong to the same party as Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh.
Other speakers included Tyngshain Ronsang (chairman, Kynhun Sengbhalang Mawsynram), E Lyngdoh (general secretary, FKJGP), and Hesting Lyngdoh (vice president, HNYF). The groups warned of stern action if the government fails to act on their demands.
