Shillong, March 31: The recent surprise inspection conducted by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), Arunkumar Kembhavi at Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi district, has opened a pandora box of illegalities that have been going in for a long time.
The surprise checking of the industrial units at Byrnihat has exposed the illegal practice committed by a few corrupt engineers in the field.
A few weeks back, the CMD detected similar instances, prompting him to refer the pilferage of electricity in the industrial area to the State Vigilance Department.
“I am referring the matter to the government and, the government, in its wisdom, will refer it to any independent investigation agency,” Kembhavi said.
Meghalaya is one of the few states in the country that registers high transmission and commercial losses thanks to illegal practices like these.
Terming the act as serious, Kembhavi said that an independent inquiry into the rampant power theft should be conducted.
“It can happen in domestic also. I am not discounting that. Power theft is a universal phenomenon, not restricted to industries,” he said.
Kembhavi maintained that disciplinary actions can only be taken once the independent inquiry is completed. “I am also instituting an independent inquiry at my level. We are doing multiple inquiries into this,” he added.
Kembhavi said currently, some of the officers have been transferred for dereliction of duty, and if found guilty, action will be initiated, accordingly.
The theft committed in broad daylight by a few officers in the field, as alleged by whistle-blowers, has cost the corporation’s exchequer dearly.
According to the CMD, the monthly revenue collection of the MeECL jumped manifold in January and February following an inspection.
In January and February, the monthly revenue collection crossed Rs 80 crore, and for March, the collection is touching a record Rs 100 crore as compared to the previous months where the monthly collection varies from Rs 62 to 65 crore.
“The reason for such a hue and cry amongst engineers over the introduction of smart meters and other initiatives is because the same would deter them from siphoning off money,” official sources said.
Meanwhile, former minister Robert G Lyngdoh has stated that an FIR should be filed against the defaulting units and the engineers concerned for allowing the MeECL to bleed.
According to him, it appears that the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) is losing 588 million units every year.
“At the rate of Rs 6.50 per unit, the amount the Company loses is around Rs 382 crore a year!! This money would not be lost if the engineers concerned performed their duty conscientiously,” Lyngdoh said.
[With special arrangement with TNT North East Today https://www.thenortheasttoday.com/]
