Govt should examine proposal to outsource distribution circles to REC: Metbah

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 5, 2021

United Democratic Party (UDP) chief and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said his party will not just sit idle if any wrong is found in the functioning of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.

“We are not sitting idle, we will play a constructive role for the interest of the people and the state…whenever we find anything wrong anywhere…,” Lyngdoh told reporters on Saturday.

His statement came following the stiff opposition from several quarters against the Conrad K Sangma-led state government’s alleged move to privatize the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

“Since we are in the coalition we will address internally…the head of the team is the chief minister so we have to address the chief minister whenever these issues come up from time to time,” he said.

Asked, the UDP chief said that the state government should examine properly as far as outsourcing the MeECL distribution franchisees (DFs) to the Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company (REC PDCL) is concerned.

“The matter is very crucial…government should relook into this issue. I have been meeting the chief minister and we have discussed this. I have been meeting different groups and organizations from time to time (on this issue as well). Therefore, every view and opinions have to be taken into consideration so that it will give a clear picture on the decision you want to take as far as the reforming of the MeECL is concerned as this is a very long pending issue,” he asserted.

Lyngdoh said he is aware that the REC – which is the funding agency for the loan to clear outstanding dues to various power companies – is looking for a 100 percent guarantee or a budgetary proposal which has to be put in place.

He added that the government will have to pay Rs 120 crore every year and post three years about Rs 300 crore.

“So taking that loan is that the final solution for the reforms of the MeECL well I say there is a little bit of grey area – so the government has to examine properly before taking such decision because if they go for a franchisee, the fate of those employees who are there will be a big question and in return the MeECL will have another burden over the burden they already have,” he further stated.  

Lyngdoh also suggested the government to keep in mind the interest of the MeECL, the interest of employees and the interest of the people and the state while taking any decision on the issue.

On the allegation of the former Nongkrem legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit that the UDP has failed to protect the interest of the state, the UDP chief however said, “I don’t know what Ardent means when he said UDP has failed. I don’t know and I will not assume what is in his mind, let him come out clearly what he wants to say – I think I would have been very happy if Ardent called me and told me what was in his mind. However, UDP is part and parcel of the MDA government but we will play our role in a very constructive manner.”

Stating that the government is yet to take any decision regarding the issue, Lyngdoh said in fact he had recently sent a 10 points letter to the chief minister addressing concerns about the allegations/accusations which has appeared in the media reports.

“In view of this, the chief minister has responded and he has already briefed the media that an inquiry has been constituted which will look into all these allegations whether it is right or wrong. Secondly as far as this distribution franchisee is concerned, again I have sent  a letter on June 2 to the CM addressing equal concern about the MeECL and I have requested him to look into it and consider it as most urgent,” he said.

On Friday, the state government has decided to take a final call by next week on whether to take responsibility for payment of the over Rs 1,345 crore loan for the MeECL or handover the management of some of the distribution circles to the REC PDCL.