Editor,
Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to express my views as a young observer as to the apathy of the people of Meghalaya towards several issues. Ever since Meghalaya received statehood, the people of all communities have been a happy-go-lucky lot. Nothing seemed to have bothered them. Except for those who fought with their heart and soul for statehood, the others were satisfied with the situation, considering that it was the duty of these leaders.
From the stories and documentaries I’ve come across, I can see that the leaders of those days were real statesmen who were genuinely concerned about their Hill State people. However, as time elapsed, the situation of our State started changing with new leaders coming to the forefront. New ideas were inculcated for improving the system, be it in the fields of education, power, road connectivity, health and many other important aspects.
However, the mentality of the people remained the same. One very pertinent point with regards to the mentality of the people is their indifference towards the ever-escalating prices of essential commodities, be it groceries, dairy products, etc. No hue and cry is ever heard except within the four walls or via gossip.
Unlike other states and Union Territories, voices are never raised about such issues. Take for example the exorbitant rise in the price of beef and pork, which happen to be essential commodities in almost every tribal house. No protest was made by the public and the butcher association has full justification for blaming the rise in price on the smuggling of cattle to the Bangladesh borders. However, out of curiosity, I asked my butcher whether after the price rise there was a drop in the selling of meat. To my surprise, he informed me that people are still buying it as before. Compared to the rest of the country or for that matter, even in the North East region, the prices of all essential commodities in Meghalaya are double or even triple. But who cares? The big businessmen in the market have to maintain their business and at the same time need to make a profit.
It is here that people would like to ask the so-called NGOs or, as we say in Khasi, “Seng Bhalang”, as to why nothing is being done to address this price escalation. While conversing with an acquaintance I met recently regarding this issue, he gave me a very amusing reply whereby he said that these “Seng Bhalang” should be rechristened as “Seng Bamlang”. He justified that all these NGOs would never stir a hornet’s nest unless it brings them some gain, else they would be deprived of the benefits it brings them as long as they remain silent.
However, the real issue I would like to draw the attention of the readers to is the viral headlines that appear almost every day with regards to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and its so-called new reforms. It now appears that this corporation is in the doldrums for reasons best known to the management. The Power Minister, James Sangma, had categorically stated in the last Assembly budget session that smart meters would be installed throughout Meghalaya to improve the revenue of the MeECL by replacing the present static meters readily available in the market which are at an affordable price. I have learned that these smart meters are also static meters but with a communication facility. This facility is meant to send the units consumed by a consumer directly to the server/billing centre. So why should one worry? The consumers would heave a sigh of relief for getting their bills on time and with the correct reading. One should worry. Firstly, the meter readers who are banking their livelihood would be weeded away. Secondly, this smart meter needs 24×7 internet connectivity for it to function. If there is no connectivity, then its function is equal to the current static meter which is being used now. As we are aware, the network connectivity is very erratic even in Shillong.
With online classes being conducted due to the pandemic, there are lots of complaints from school children who solely depend on the internet for their daily lessons. So, when such is the situation, how can we expect that these smart meters brought about by the so-called reforms will improve the revenue of MeECL? By appointing new meter readers, bill clerks, etc job opportunities will be created for the unemployed youth but the management is turning a blind eye to the vital requirement of the corporation, which is understaffed.
Instead, a firm from Delhi, Satnam Global Infra Projects Ltd has been entrusted with the task of installing these meters by the MDA government at an alarming cost of Rs 232.96 crore of which the cost of each meter is almost Rs 10,000. Yet, when the Power Minister was questioned on the floor of the house during the Assembly budget session regarding the cost of the meters, he emphatically stated that the cost of each was Rs 3,500.
So, the point I would like to highlight here is, are the people of Meghalaya ready for these so-called new reforms in the power sector? After all, the ultimate cost of the meter, whether it is Rs 3500 or Rs 9,444 would have to be shelled out by the consumers whether they like it or not. Would they happily accept it or wake up from their comfort zone by raising their voices in unison with the employees of MeECL who are against the installation of smart meters? This present MDA government is doing its best to ram down the throat of the people of the State such fluffy promises that have no substance.
At the end of the day, the beneficiaries would be the government, Satnam Global Infra Projects Ltd, and all those connected with this misinformation of improving the revenue of MeECL by way of installing these so-called smart meters. I think the time has come to prepare the electorate to choose smart leaders who would rather work for the cause of the common man like the past dignified statesmen than to re-elect these present ones who are only interested in filling and piling up their coffers.
