There is no danger of Meghalaya privatising the power sector, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also holds the power portfolio, said today.
On Monday, employees of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL) held a protest at the same time as the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 was being tabled in Parliament. This was part of a nationwide protest of power sector employees against the bill, which they fear will lead to greater privatisation.
“Even if the amendment is passed, it is up to the state run distribution company and, ultimately, the wisdom will be entrusted to the state government,” Tynsong said, adding that the federal nature of the country means that the Centre will not encroach on the authority of the states.
“This one (privatisation) is not for Meghalaya. Every state has a discom under its control. Therefore, I want to tell them (the employees) not to panic as the state government will not go for privatisation unless the employees themselves want it,” the minister said.
