Ex-MLA demands govt to recall LOA for outsourcing 56 sub-stations

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 12, 2021

Former Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has demanded the state government to put on hold all decisions related to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) till inquiry into the alleged irregularities is completed.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Basaiawmoit who is also the convener of the ‘Revolution Iada La Ka Ri’ said that it is expected that the state government would for the time being put all the decisions of the MeECL management in abeyance till the inquiry is completed.

His statement came after the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had recently announced the government’s decision to institute a three-member independent inquiry to be headed by a retired judge to probe into the alleged irregularities and scams in the MeECL.

“I strongly urge upon the state government to put on hold any signing of agreement between the MeECL with any firm or company. The government should also recall the issuance of the LOA for outsourcing the sub-stations,” he said.

Basaiawmoit said that the decision of the MeECL to execute the Letter of Award (LOA) for the Operation and Maintenance of 56 (fifty-six) 33/11KV Sub Stations under the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited to M/S Broadcasting Engineering Consultants Corporation India Limited (BECIL) Noida, despite strong opposition from various quarters indicate its brazen disregard to the concern of the various stakeholders.

He also reminded that the functioning of the MeECL is currently under scrutiny, due to serious lapses and corruption charges.

He added in the recent past various organisations and individuals have expressed their apprehensions with regard to a number of decisions made by MeECL and the demand for an independent and impartial inquiry.

“However, one fails to understand the reason behind the rush to offer the LOA at this juncture. This especially so, when the state government had already constituted an inquiry committee headed by a retired judge,” Basaiawmoit stated.

“The question, I would like to put before the constituents of the present government, especially regional parties, who used to make tall claims about protecting the interest of the  indigenous people of the State;whether the decision of the MeECLto outsource the operation and maintenance of 56 Sub Stations is in the interest of the indigenous population and the consumer at large?” he asked.

Meanwhile, the former legislator said that if the government fails to put on hold all the controversial decisions made by the MeECL management, “it will seriously undermine sincerity of the Government and would be seen as an attempt to hoodwink the people.”