The financially struggling Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL) is not in a position to regularise its casual workers or even fill up more than 1,000 sanctioned posts in the state-owned utility.
This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also the Power Minister, today amidst a protest by the MeECL Progressive Workers Union, which is demanding regularisation in stages and clearance of pending arrears.
Although Tynsong said he was sympathetic to the demands of the workers, some of whom have been employed on contract for two decades, the financial position of MeECL is too poor to consider regularisation. The company is also unable to fill vacancies for roles such as junior engineers, assistant engineers or executive engineers.
“We don’t have the option to fill up these posts immediately but we are working out what posts are essential and filling up only those,” he said. “Therefore, as far as the petition of the casual workers is concerned, I understand their pain. Yes, prices keep rising every year but I request them to let us first clear the outstanding dues of the MeECL.”
Once the company can stand on its own two feet, then the casual workers will be given permanent jobs, he promised.
