NGOs oppose attempt to privatize MeECL

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 31, 2021

Four pressure groups have expressed strong opposition against the alleged move of the state government to privatize the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

The statement was issued by the Khasi Students Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) and Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) on Wednesday.

“We… are shocked at the debate that was carried on in the recently concluded Assembly Session and as reported in the various media that the government of Meghalaya is in the process of total sale out of the MeCEL to private players,” the NGOs said.

“…this press statement is a first step to oppose against any attempt by the government to privatize this profit making public sector of the state,” they said.

The NGOs said that the government must understand that it is in this public sector that lots of our people are engaged in different capacities as a means of direct and indirect employment with a scope for further employment of the educated unemployed youth.

“This one time sale is only to suit the political and personal interest of certain sections and it will not serve the interest of the state in any way,” they added.

Meanwhile, the four groups have also maintained that they will not allow monetization of the land assets of the corporation in favour of the private players.

“This will directly bear impact on the issue of Meghalaya Land Transfer Act and the government/ Corporation cannot twist the said Act in favour of private companies and which we will oppose tooth and nail as any such steps by the government /Corporation will increase further influx and migration into the state,” they stated.