Opp Congress demands removal of Meghalaya power minister

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 29, 2021

The opposition Congress on Tuesday demanded the removal of the power minister James K Sangma from his present position citing that he may influence the inquiry into the alleged scams in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

This came a day after the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had announced the government’s decision to appoint Additional Chief Secretary Rebecca V Suchiang as the new Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the MeECL.

In a statement, Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma thanked the state government for taking the first step in responding to the party’s demand by removing the present CMD Arunkumar Kembhavi and bringing in a senior and experienced officer who is in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary and in constituting the Inquiry Commission for investigating the several scams in MeECL.

“I would like to put on record, my sincere thanks to the leaders of different regional political parties and other socio-political activists in supporting the demands which facilitated to reach to this level,” added Zenith, who is also a legislator from Rangsakona.

On the other hand, the Congress leader termed the decision of the MDA government as a “piecemeal approach” for failing to remove the power minister.

“But however, we are not satisfied with the piecemeal approach of the government in the matter which tantamount to ignoring the gravity and the urgency of the matter,” Sangma said as he demanded that the present power minister should be dropped or he may gracefully resign as minister.

“Otherwise, he (James K Sangma) can still influence and there can be foul play and the very purpose of constituting this Inquiry Commission will be defeated. It should be done immediately without any further delay because we all know that Justice delayed means justice denied,” Zenith asserted.

According to him, there is not only one scam but there are several scams in MeECL and all these scams are to be investigated specifically.