HYC asks MDA coalition partners to oppose Govt’s decision to lease out MePDCL

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 1, 2021

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Tuesday demanded the state government to keep on hold its decision to lease out the distribution circles of the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) to a company – RECPDCL.

“We vehemently oppose this decision of the state government to hand over the distribution circles of the MePDCL to RECPDCL as per the agreement entered into by the state government,” HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem said in a statement.

He said the organization also called upon all the legislators of the state especially those from the UDP, PDF and HSPDP, to oppose the government’s decision.

“It is especially called upon the legislators of UDP, PDF and HSPDP to oppose this move, provided they have no knowledge of this decision, or are they willing to keep mum and keep supporting the ideas of such Public representatives who attended that meeting on the 23rd April, 2021 and agreed to the propose LEASING OUT? Silent is consent. So these MLAs should choose their next steps,” he said.

Alleging that the process for handing over the two distributions circles is going on in full speed, Synrem said, “We fail to comprehend how such a sensitive decision is taken by the Chief Minister and the Minister of Power during this time knowing fully well that this decision will have an adverse effect on the state as a whole. This shows their complete disregard to the sentiments of the people of the state.”

“We demand that the State Government should keep on hold the idea of Leasing out the Distribution Circles to RECPDCL and we strongly urged the MLAs and Ministers from UDP, PDF and HSPDP as well as MLAs supporting the MDA to come out strongly against this decision of the Chief Minister and the Power Minister,” he reiterated.

The HYC also threatened to take a call if situations permit on how to oppose this decision of the government in the next few days.

“…will not let anyone sell out MeECL to an outside parties either for a long term or short term period and will take all steps necessary in this regard.

We warn the government not to take any decision which are anti-people and anti-youth of the state and especially during this time where we are all fighting this war against COVID-19 as we will not be mute spectators to such an act and will protest vehemently,” Synrem stated.

He said as per documents, the state government in a meeting held on April 23 in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Power Minister James K Sangma and other officials of the government and MeECL had given approval to implement the proposal for engagement of “distribution franchisee” in MePDCL to a Company RECPDCL.

The HYC leader said in line with above meeting, Arun Kumar Khembhavi, Chairman cum Managing Director, MeECL, on the same day wrote to the Secretary Power department, Government of Meghalaya, proposing the following areas for engagement of Distribution Franchisee.

The areas hurriedly propose to be handed over to RECPDCL are- Shillong Central Distribution Circle (The areas under this Circle includes the entire Shillong areas and adjoining areas under East Khasi hills District) and Eastern Distribution Circle (The areas under this Circle includes the entire Jowai both Urban and Rural areas).

He alleged that in simple terms, the above mentioned areas would now be handed over to RECPDCL for providing electricity to every hold including billing and revenue collection, all operation and maintenance, consumer support and care.

“In short, the above areas under MePDCL have been proposed to be sold off to RECPDCL for a period of 25 years from the date of execution of the contract.

Under the terms and condition of this contract, RECPDCL can further sub contract this franchisee to any other party,” he stated.