Two constituents of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), today met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on the alleged irregularities in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL), including the outsourcing of the 56 sub-stations to an outside firm.
In a memorandum, the HSPDP stated that the party’s stand on the issue of outsourcing the operation of the sub-stations for a Noida-based company (Broadcasting Engineer Consultants India Limited or BECIL) is clear – that the state should prioritise employment among local youth. Therefore, the regional party requested the government to “relook” and “revoke” the agreement signed with the company.
On the special tariff agreed with Byrnihat Industries Association (BIA), the HSPDP said that even though the Meghalaya Power Distribution Company Limited (MePDCL) had proposed to hike the tariff for 2020-2021 for industries from Rs 6.60 per unit to Rs 9.50 per unit but the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC) did not approve the proposal.
Despite this, the MePDCL “had signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BIA for the sale of power at lower rate from Rs 6.60 per unit to Rs 4.90 per unit and the demand charge/fixed charge of Rs 230/KVA per month has been [reduced] to Rs 0.0/KVA per month,” the HSPDP said, adding that in this way the company will lose revenue.
The HSPDP also said that power theft and leakage has led to a huge loss of monthly revenue to the corporation.
On the one-time settlement scheme, the HSPDP said that the government needs to have a relook on the issue because 12 industries were able to benefit to the tune of Rs 17.35 crore in waived bills, another loss to the corporation.
Meanwhile, the PDF met the CM urging him to keep in abeyance the outsourcing of the sub-stations.
“The way the contract was awarded it looks like it was not done in a proper way, therefore we met the Chief Minister to keep it in abeyance till all of us get a clarity on the matter,” PDF working president Banteidor Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh, quoting Sangma, said that he will soon convene a meeting of ministers and political parties in the alliance to clarify the various points of contention. The PDF also raised the MeECL appointments and the smart meter issue.
