MeECL not in a financial position to regularize services of casual workers, fill up 1,000 sanctioned posts: Dy CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 2, 2022

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power Prestone Tynsong on Friday said that the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) is not in a financial position to regularize the services of casual workers and to even fill up over 1,000 plus sanctioned posts.

His statement came days after the black flag protest staged by the casual workers under the banner of the MeECL Progressive Workers Union (MePWU) demanding the state government to immediately regularize their services and to release their pending arrears.

When sought for his reaction, Tynsong told reporters that he understands very well their pain as some of the casual workers have been serving not less than 15 to 18 years but the financial position of the MeECL is very grim.  

He however said the MeECL is also not in a financial position to fill up more than 1,000 plus sanctioned posts which include that of junior engineers, assistant engineers, executive engineers etc.

“This is the main problem as we don’t have much option to do whatever to fill up these posts immediately but we are working out and filling up only those posts which are really required,” Tynsong said.

Appealing to the casual workers to bear with the MeECL, he said, “Therefore, as far as the petition made by the casual workers is concerned, I understand their pain, we know yes the pricing keep rising up every year, I understand but I would like to request them let us first of all clear the outstanding dues of the MeECL.”

“We are trying right now to stand on our own once that is done I am telling you with assurance that we will fully accommodate them (casual workers) on a regular basis,” Tynsong assured adding “I also appeal to them that the financial position of the MeECL is still very grim still we need to hand to mouth and we need to also make sure that the power is not at all disturbed in distributing to all beneficiaries of the state of Meghalaya.”