A discussion in the Assembly today on electricity matters blew up over a trifle after Umroi MLA George Lyngdoh took offence after being told by Power Minister James Sangma to do his homework on the subject before speaking in the house.
“If you find any problem in my question then point it out… I cannot be insulted like this, the people of Umroi constituency cannot be insulted like this,” Lyngdoh, a Congress MLA, said.
Chief Minister (and James Sangma’s younger brother) Conrad K Sangma then dismissed Lyngdoh’s reaction, calling him “overdramatic”.
Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh later ruled that the comment by the Power Minister was not unparliamentary.
James Sangma had told George Lyngdoh to do his homework after the latter asked if customers were allowed to bargain when it comes to their electricity tariffs, since he thought customers can bargain as Byrnihat Industries Association had negotiated down from Rs 6 per unit to Rs 4.5 per unit. Sangma informed that the tariff is set by Meghalaya State Electricity Regulation Commission (MSERC) and not by the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Ltd (MePGCL). He added that the tariffs are revised every year and consumers can petition to MSERC.
