Two Garo Hills-based organisations, the Garo State Movement Committee (GSMC) and A’chik Organisation for Social Welfare (AOSW), have both written against the long, daily periods of load shedding that have affected the state even during the height of the heatwave that has been plaguing parts of Meghalaya.
The GSMC’s Pedaldoba regional unit said that having a legislator from Garo Hills, Phulbari MLA Abu Taher Mondal, as the Power Minister has not been of any good for the region.
Garo Hills has never before experienced power cuts like those of today, Rimjen Ch Sangma said in a press release, describing it as “very shameful”.
Although the government closed schools during the height of the heatwave, the power cuts continued regardless, making it difficult for the people to cope, he added.
Rimjen also blasted the state power utility for being incapable of providing a constant supply of electricity and for “always taking shelter” in the excuse of water scarcity in the major hydroelectric dams for the shortfall of power.
He called for the government to consider ending the monopoly that the state power utility has over the provision of electricity and “face the heat of competition and try to learn the principles of ‘survival of the fittest'”.
Meanwhile, the AOSW described the power scenario as one of the biggest problems for the people of Meghalaya.
“The crisis of electricity is continuing for weeks now and for long hours everyday, which affects our routine,” AOSW vice-president Tambu Sangma said in a release. “Students cannot complete their homework and assignments.”
The problem of power is a hit to psychological stress, anxiety and strained family relationships, Tambu added. “These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land – a nagging fear that the decline of social life is inevitable,” he stated.