Congress accuses MDA of selling MeECL, demand removal of James K Sangma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 17, 2021

The opposition Congress has alleged that the only aim of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government is to sell the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and urged the regional parties to take a call on this matter.

“The only aim of this government is to sell MeECL. Take loan to the extent that it cannot repay,” Congress spokesperson and Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma said in a statement issued on Monday.

“I would like to request all our friends from the Regional Parties who are in the Government to take a call on this and save the state immediately otherwise people of our state will not forgive,” he said.

Zenith also demanded that the present Power Minister cannot be allowed to continue for even one day adding “They have made mess of MeECL.”

Stating that in the project wing of MePDCL, there appears to be lot of anomalies, he said in the month of October 2020, the CMD allowed the officer of the rank of the Superintending Engineer to prepare DPR, issuance of LOA etc., which is generally done by the chief engineer.

“There is a narrative that this is done in order to undertake some manipulations. It is alleged that this is done with involvement of Power Minister, James Sangma,” he alleged.

Referring to a news report on the Court’s decision to stay NTPC move to regulate Power from May 11, Zenith said,”The same thing I have been advocating to go to Court or Arbitration for Justice. They should have done it much before. I have been always raising questions regarding Atmanirbhar loan of ₹. 1345 Crore. This loan is not going to help our state to become Atmanirbhar (self sufficient) rather we will fall in a debt trap. It appears that the loan was taken for vested interest only.”

The Congress leader further questioned if the Umiam reservoir is only for tourism.

“”No more power cuts in state” says CMD, it is mentioned that only 60 MW is being generated of its total installed capacity of 350 MW. Now the question arises, how long are you going to keep the machines out of order. Is the umiam reservoir only for tourism.”

He said there is a narrative going on that Power Department & CMD MeECL have appointed Advisors on pro bono basis, who are already having business interests elsewhere.

“Now tell me why someone from Noida or Delhi would work for the Power Department on pro bono basis. Are they members of NPP or Political appointees?” he asked

Zenith said as per CMD, only 60 MW is being generated out of 350 Mw of installed capacity. That is there is loss of 290 Mw every day.

“Even if we consider 80% to be in operation, the extra generation should be around 232 Mw. i.e. 232x1000x24= 55,68,000 units i.e. 5.568 Million units. If the average rate is taken as ₹. 3.0 per unit , the amount shall be ₹. 1,67,04,000.00 That means MePGCL is losing more than ₹. 1 crore 67 lakh daily and more than ₹. 50 crores in a month. Can you imagine what is happening in MeECL? This calculation is done as per CMD’s own admission. I want to ask the Chief Minister, on what intention, this was not rectified?” he further asked.

Zenith further demanded that the government should immediately take steps to repair the machines to make these functional so that full generation can take place “otherwise we cannot stop the MeECL from bleeding.”

“It’s been more than one year now that I have been demanding that this should be done on top priority. But it was in vain. Rather the Power Minister along with the Chief Minister was allegedly prioritising on making fast and easy money like calling tenders, revising the estimates exorbitantly, awarding the works to single party from outside, preparing tender papers in such a way where only their single selected firm/contractor will be qualified, borrowing loans at an exorbitant interest rate, etc, etc. thereby making the company (MeECL) a milch cow upto the maximum,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, the Congress leader said outsourcing of sub-stations to outside parties  should not be allowed.

According to him, there is a narrative that more Division/ Subdivision/ Power Station are being planned to be outsourced. Some faulty tenders for maintenance of power station are already floated.

On Chief Minster’s ordering for an independent enquiry into the irregularities in the MeECL, Zenith however said, “We demand that enquiry be conducted by an independent body and premium Agency like CBI which deals with corruption and for conducting free and fair inquiry, the present Power Minister James Sangma and CMD should be removed immediately.”