Opp Cong accuses MDA Govt of trying to lease out MeECL assets to private entities

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 6, 2021

The opposition Congress on Monday asked the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to stop indulging in corruption for the sake of the people and the state.

The appeal was made following the alleged move of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to lease out the assets of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to private entities.

“I would like to tell the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma please stop indulging in corruption and please do have mercy on the people of the state and the generation next,” Congress spokesperson Zenith M Sangma told reporters here.

He alleged that the MeECL had engaged one company called NITCON, a government PSU – for monetization of the assets of the MeECL across the state including the land.

The Rangsakona MLA said that the move was also protested by one of the directors of MeECL.

“The independent director resigned from the post in the boards of directors. It is a very serious issue as it implies nobody has acknowledged her protest which culminates in the resignation from the boards of directors,” he said adding “Now what is going to happen? MeECL is subjected to taking loan after loan pushing it into a debt trap. These loans are availed under government guarantee.”

He also stated that the government is allegedly planning to lease out the assets particularly the land of MeECL in different locations in Shillong, Umiam, Sumer, Byrnihat, Tura etc to private operators to develop malls, hotels, casino games with the pretext to enhance tourism industry in the state of Meghalaya that too at the cost of the interest of the people of the state.

The Congress leader further alleged that the tourism portfolio will also be given to the incumbent power minister James K Sangma to accomplish the government’s mission to loot the state.

“Therefore with this intention, the tourism portfolio is going to be given to James K Sangma provided the power portfolio is taken away from him so that mission is accomplished. Their sole intention is to loot and benefit only a few at the cost of the interest of the people,” he said.

“Therefore, we say this policy is not acceptable to the people of the state and we condemn this act upto the maximum that this thing should be stopped and should not be repeated again,” he added.