Congress urged UDP, PDF & HSPDP to save MeCEL from massive sellout

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 4, 2021

The opposition Congress has accused the National People’s Party-led MDA government of selling off the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) in the name of restructuring and reforms.

In a statement issued on Friday, Congress spokesperson and Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma said that he had been raising issues pertaining to mismanagement and corruption in the MeECL since last year.

“We could see scam after scam in MeECL. Be it (Saubhagya Scheme, DDUGJY, Ganol Power Project, Smart Metering, Special tariff to BIA, One Time Settlement Scheme, Outsourcing of 56 Power Sub-Station, Outsourcing of Major Distribution Circles (Shillong & Jowai), Outsourcing of Power Stations, Taking several loan of huge amount with high interest rates – so on and so forth,” he said.

Stating that it is a well scripted modus operandi, Sangma further alleged that the script writer is from outside.

“We had never seen this type of operation in Meghalaya since the time of its inception. At present, people from outside is the decision maker and few of our people who are in the helm of affairs along with these outsiders in other words with their patronage, selling off our assets, selling off the MeECL,” he said.

Pointing out to some of the recent developments, the Congress leader said the controversial promotee, M.K. Chetry joined as Director, Distribution (DISCOM) on the May 3, 2021.

“Any Chief Engineer, in MeECL, who has the experience of 1 complete year is eligible to be promoted to Director MePDCL. When the previous Director retired, M.K. Chetry was only 5 (five) months as Chief Engineer. So, the vacancy was not filled up for 7 (seven) months waiting for Mr. Chetry to complete one year and subsequently he was promoted superseding 5 (five) other Chief Engineers Senior to him. These are all well scripted with some definite objective.

M.K. Chetry joined as Director MePDCL on 03.05.2021 and on 05.05.2021 he finalized and signed on the contentious issue of handing over 56 different Sub-Stations to BECIL for 10 (ten) years, escalating the cost for more than 4 times from the present maintenance cost incurred by the MeECL. The burden will be passed on to the consumers through tariff revision,” he said.

Sangma further alleged the state government for giving its approval in a meeting held on April 23, for Distribution Franchisee in MePDCL and two Distribution Circles (Shillong & Jowai), which are considered to be having highest billing efficiency (98%) across the state are being given to outside company known as RECPDCL, having the clause enabling it to sublet to anybody, that too, for long 25 years.

“So, it is known that it will be sublet to their desired pre-selected party. Under these two circles 2000 employees. Where will they go? What will be their fate?” he asked.

Moreover, they have floated tender for outsourcing the two major Power Stations, viz:- Myntdu Leshka HEP of 3x42MW = 126MW and New Umtru HEP of 2×20 = 40MW, he said adding this has put the employment opportunity and business scope of our people at stake.

The Congress further slammed the MeECL CMD for allegedly discontinuing the payment of Pension, Gratuity and other Terminal Benefits to the retired employees of MeECL.

Sangma said this is nothing but to ensure that the Enterprise who buys off the MePDCL will have full benefit by not having financial liabilities.

“The audacity is as such that these people can go to such an extent at the cost of the future of the families of the retired employees,” he said while demanding that the status quo may be maintained as far as the payment of Pension, etc are concerned without any further delay.

On the other hand, the Congress leader also alleged  that any officer who is not complying with their needs are targeted.

“Through several means the leadership is demoralizing the officers to create fear psychosis among themselves. All these are part of their modus operandi,” he reiterated.

Sangma also alleged the Power Minister and the CMD for working overtime at the behest of the Chief Minister to complete of the process of selling off the entire MeECL at the earliest when many are engaging in fighting collectively against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stating that these issues have been raised by several leaders of different political parties including the employees of the MeECL, the Congress leader said the President of the UDP who is also the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding a probe and removal of present CMD and Minister i/c Power. But the Chief Minister did not give any heed into this, rather went ahead working overtime to sell off the MeECL.

“Now question is that – who can save the MeECL from going to the hands of outsiders?

Who can protect the interest of around 5000 employees and the people of the state as a whole? It is only the leaders of the Political Parties who are supporting the present MDA Government. People are not fools. They are watching and judging the conscience of their leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sangma reiterated the need for the leaders of UDP, PDF, HSPDP to take a conscious decision immediately and put an end to it to save the future of the state.