Shillong, May 07: The four organisation comprising of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the Federation of the Khasi Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP), the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and the Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) submitted the memorandum to the Chief Minister Mr Conrad K Sangma relating to the turmoil occurring in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) which had become ‘an everyday headline’ in the media for all the wrong reasons.
The organisation in their memorandum alleged that anomalies plaguing the MeECL. Respected Sir, The undersigned on behalf of The mudslinging within the Corporation, the load-shedding, the strings of arbitrary appointments and the outsourcing of stations.
To mention a few from amongst, are creating ripples in the mind of the public with regards to the prospect of this power sector which is the lifeline of the entire state of Meghalaya.
The KSU, FKJGP, HNYF and RBYF are thus compelled to submit this missive to you for your kind perusal and necessary intervention for the overall welfare of the state in terms of the power sector and the benefit of the local indigenous populace.
The above-mentioned social organizations would like to express their grievances and suggestions on the following points: 1. The recent move by the MeECL to outsource 56 of 33/11 KV sub stations to an outside company, M/s Broadcasting Engineering Consultants India Limited from Noida is highly unacceptable to the social organisations as well as the people of the state.
Such an irrational move would incur huge loss to the already financially devastated MeECL. Further, outsourcing of the sub stations would subsequently lead to total blockage of employment of local youths in the hundreds which will further complicate the already rising unemployment scenario in the state.
Therefore, the social organisations demand the immediate withdrawal of the Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to the outside company and the restoration of the previous norms followed before.
The appointment of non-local advisers to the Chief Manager cum Director of the MeECL, Mr. Arunkumar Kembhavi is illogical owing to the fact that there are numerous well experienced officers from the MeECL and the state.
The social organisations demand the immediate removal of Manish Gupta, Arkajyoti Bhattacharjee and Sunny Kumar Singh from their current positions.
Similarly, the social organisations are aware that certain officers are more senior that the recently appointed Director of Distribution (MePDCL) to take up that post. In this context, we seek the appointment of an eligible and a deserving officer in place of M. K Chettri.
The Saubhagya Scheme launched by the Central Government was welcome wholeheartedly by the citizens of Meghalaya. The notion of total electrification of the state brings a ray of hope to everyone, especially those in villages and far-flung areas where electricity is a distant dream. However, to the utmost dismay of everyone, we are yet to see the actual progress of the scheme in many parts of the state till date.
It has come to light that a company from outside the state, viz, Satnam Global Infrastructures Limited was task with the electrification under the said scheme thereby depriving local contractors of the state. It has also come to the public knowledge that initially the scheme was estimated at 421 crores but was later increased by a manifold to 931.34 crores.
The social organisations therefore demand an immediate rectification of all the anomalies transpiring with regards to the implementation of the said scheme.
The KSU, FKJGP, HNYF and RBYF express their opposition to the manner with which the Smart Energy Meter is initiate. The rate for installation of such a meter is extremely high compared to other states.
Similarly, since the project depends on the network connectivity provided by phones’ service providers. The project would create numerous problems to the public owing to the poor network connectivity experience by the state.
The Special Tariff to the Byrnihat Industries Association is highly objectionable in view of the impending crisis prevailing in the MeECL which will ultimately led to more loss in the revenue of the corporation.
They urge the Government to revoke the said Special tariff. An independent enquiry should be constituted to investigate the alleged corruption in the MeECL by different quarters.
The recent revelation obtained through the RTI by certain citizen that an amount of approximately 98 crores is yet to be paid by the different Industrial Estates and others in the state portrayed the adamant attitude of these Estates with respect to the ongoing power crisis in the state.
The social organisations demand that immediate stringent action should be taken against these defaulters. 8. The numerous vacancies existing in the MeECl has crippled the functioning of the corporation. We are of the opinion that advertisements, examinations and interviews should be conducted at the earliest so as to fill up the vacant posts.
In fine, the KSU, FKJGP, HNYF and RBYF once again would like to reiterate that swift intervention from your office is of utmost necessity so as to rectify the various anomalies occurring within the MeECL which badly hits the general public before it escalates into a lawand-order problem.
The memorandum was sign by Lambok Starwell Marngar President Khasi Students’ Union Sadon Blah President Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, Wellbirth Ranee President Federation of the Khasi Jaintia & Garo People, Bipul Thangkhiew President Ri Bhoi Youth Federation.
