SHILLONG, June 25: The Meghalaya Government has constituted a committee to review the contract of SAI Computers Limited in the Garo Hills.
The power distribution company (discom) has come under scrutiny from pressure groups and the public in the Garo Hills, especially after it was recently ousted from Mawsynram. Complaints include irregular power supply, arbitrary fines, and inflated billing, with many now demanding the complete termination of the company’s contract.
Speaking on the issue, MeECL CMD Sanjay Goyal said the Corporation is actively addressing public grievances while awaiting the committee’s report, which is being headed by the Chief Engineer of the Western Zone.
“Some issues related to power supply have been resolved while the matter of billing is being examined by the Committee,” Goyal said.
SAI Computers Limited was appointed as an Input-Based Distribution Franchisee (IBDF) for areas including Dalu, Phulbari, Nongalbibra, and Mawsynram. The company is responsible for meter installation and maintenance, meter reading and billing, revenue collection, consumer grievance redressal, basic network maintenance, transformer repairs, and reduction of technical and commercial losses.
Soon after entering Phulbari in West Garo Hills, the company faced protests from pressure groups and consumers over irregular electricity supply, arbitrary fines, and over-billing.
Meanwhile, Goyal said the Corporation is conducting regular inspections across the state to curb power theft. He noted that genuine consumers ultimately bear the brunt of such thefts and added that the Electricity Act empowers the government to take strict action against offenders.
