Shillong, June 1: UDP leader and former deputy chief minister, Bindo M Lanong on Monday asked the state government to review its decision to lease the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) and make the details about the proposal public.

“In relation to the power department negotiating to lease the MePDCL to some other undertaking, the RECPDCL for a period of 25 years and that initially Shillong and Jowai Circles will come under such franchise deal, I urge the government to come public on the matter, since we were never consulted nor the Assembly taken into confidence,” Lanong said in a statement.

He said in a democracy, the entire government machinery belongs to the people, going by the technical and legal significance of constitutional provisions and practices, where even the individual is bound to act, speak, express his own views within the prescribed limitations of the law.

“Is there no bar for the government while leasing out any department, to at least place in the Assembly before leasing out any government property to other agencies?” he asked.

According to him, such privatisations or lease of government department, either by periodical or term lease or rental is seldom heard of.

“Privatisation is resorted to only in unavoidable circumstances, arising out of total failure on the part of the government. I therefore, urge the government to review the proposed lease deal,” the former deputy chief minister said.