Cong demands Govt to cancel appointment of Chetry

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 17, 2021

The opposition Congress has demanded the state government to immediately cancel its order to appoint MK Chetry as Director (Distribution) of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

“We demand that the government review its decision to avoid feelings of deprivation among local tribal Engineers,” Congress spokesperson and Rangsakona legislator Zenith M Sangma said in a statement issued on Monday.

He said inspite of the request of the President of UDP and Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh to review this promotion, the Government of Meghalaya led by Conrard K Sangma did not pay any heed and hurriedly allowed Chetry to join as Director Distribution on 3rd of May 2021.

“It has demoralised the local senior Chief Engineers of MeECL. The government should immediately cancel this order till the enquiry is over. May be this government is fond of keeping the senior posts vacant,” Zenith said.

The Congress leader further said that the statement of Power Minister, Government of Meghalaya that MK Chetry is the senior most Engineer in MeECL and hence he has been appointed as Director Distribution is not correct as per the record.

“As the up to date seniority list maintained in the Electrical wing of MeECL, Chetry is at sl no. 5.

In fact in the rank of EE, SE and Additional Chief Engineer Chetry’s name was always below these officers whom he had superseded except Marchborn Marbaniang who was always above Chetry in the rank of EE, SE and Additional Chief Engineer.

Only during the promotion to the post of Chief Engineer during March 2020 Chetry superseded Marbaniang. Marbaniang approached High Court, Shillong and was promoted to Chief Engineer on a later date as per the direction of High Court, Shillong,” he said.

Stating that the criteria for the promotion to Director Distribution is that the person should have experience as Chief Engineer at least for a period of one year, Zenith however said, “The post of Director Distribution fell vacant, when Chetry had an experience as Chief Engineer only for 5 months.

The post was kept vacant for next 7 months although other tribal Chief Engineers had the required experience. This promotion does not appear to be fair.”