NGOs threaten agitation over govt’s decision to outsource 56 sub-stations

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 14, 2021

Four NGOs on Friday threatened to resort to agitation against the state government if it fails to cancel the letter of award (LoA) issued to M/S Broadcasting Engineering Consultants Corporation Limited (BECIL) for operation and maintenance of 56 sub-stations.

The Khasi Students Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) – have also asked the Noida based company to refrain from taking the work.

“Once the pandemic is over, the government will have to face stern protests if it does not withdraw the LoA,” the NGOs said in a joint statement.

They alleged that the state government has decided to execute such anti-people decisions by taking advantage of the lockdown due to COVID-19 situation which has restricted the movement of people to prevent further spread of the disease.

“The state government has taken such a step knowing fully well that the NGOs cannot hold protests due to the pandemic. However, we want to remind the government that this pandemic will not last long and that it should stop betraying the people of the state,” they added.

Also sending a strong warning to BECIL, the NGOs said, “The company should refrain from taking over the 33/11KV 56 sub-stations without the consent of the people of the state and they should take their own responsibility in case they decide otherwise.”

Earlier last week, the NGOs had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma requesting his intervention into the matter.

“We have expressed our strong opposition against the move to hand over the 56 sub-stations to an outside company as this would affect the government’s exchequer. The government will have to pay Rs 3,75,000 every month to this company,” they said.

The NGOs further added that the decision to outsource these 56 sub-stations to a company from outside the state will take away the livelihoods of local people.