The resignation of retired IAS officer Lumlanglin Kharkongor from the post of independent director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and its three subsidiary companies has vindicated all allegations and malpractices within the MeECL.
The allegations which have been widely reported in the media have proved beyond reasonable doubt that all the allegations and charges for the state of affairs in MeECL warrant for a CBI enquiry.
Sources informed that Kharkongor’s resignation was not on personal grounds but due to non adherence to rules and regulations by the MeECL management.
In many instances, sufficient time was not given to the MeECL board members to examine and evaluate the proposals or agenda placed before the board as they involved huge expenditure or revenue of public money.
Moreover, Kharkongor has categorically stated in her resignation letter dated February 3, 2021 that she is unable to carry on the task assigned as proposals/agenda are always “urgent” in nature.
As per Clause 1.3.7 of the Secretarial Standard on Meeting of the Board of the Directors (as per Companies Act 2013), there is a provision that notes and agenda should be given to the directors at least seven days before the date of the meeting.
But this provision has been intentionally violated. The notes and agenda were placed one hour before the MeECL board’s meeting and in the event relating to ‘no regrets’ for price offers made by firms/bidders that involve crores of rupees. In the case of smart meters, the board of directors was in the dark that such an offer was made.
Sources indicated that Kharkongor in her capacity as the independent director had opined that the MeECL should first clear the payments to those suppliers and contractors who have already completed the work of 132KV Mawlai Sub-Station before re-tendering so as to avoid legal complications. Insiders informed that the total amount of completed works is Rs 2, 92, 75,890.
Another startling revelation was to accord approval for engagement of Nitcon Ltd as Project Management Unit (PMU) for monetisation of land assets of MeECL and its subsidiaries. T
This sensitive issue was placed before the Board of Directors meeting on February 1, 2021 without any prior discussion in previous board meetings and most significantly without inviting any Expression of Interest (EOI) or tender.
Sources informed that Kharkongor had on record objected to the agenda that was circulated at the meeting itself without giving time to study the papers and to examine thoroughly, keeping in view the provisions of land laws that are applicable in Meghalaya.
She was candid that in the event of any land encroachment, be it by MeECL staff, the MeECL authorities should take up with respective Deputy Commissioners for eviction under the law, and to engage a firm for this purpose is untenable.
Kharkongor had categorically stated that she had resigned as she was “not happy with the manner in which the board meetings were conducted.”
On the spot circulation of agenda and insufficient time given to study papers is not how a professional organisation operates, she added.
According to Kharkongor, her role as an independent director was in accordance with Schedule IV [Section 149(8)] for Independent Directors of the Ministry of Company Affairs, Government of India.
Mincing no words, she said that “one cannot give in to pressures when one knows that something is grossly wrong”.
It may be mentioned that Kharkongor had served the State government in various capacities till her retirement in 2014 as Commissioner and Secretary. She was an able administrator with integrity and vision.
