Shillong, June 6: Reacting to news on Meghalaya Government’s plan to outsource the management of MeECL and some of its distribution circles, United Democratic Party (UDP) chief and Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh said the state government should properly examine the outsourcing of MeECL distribution franchisees (DFs) to the Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company (REC PDCL). At the same time, he said his party will not just sit idle if any wrong is found in the functioning of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.

“The matter is very crucial…government should relook into this issue. I have been meeting the chief minister and we have discussed this. I have been meeting different groups and organizations from time to time (on this issue as well). Therefore, every view and opinions have to be taken into consideration so that it will give a clear picture on the decision you want to take as far as the reforming of the MeECL is concerned as this is a very long pending issue,” he told reporters on Saturday.

Lyngdoh said he is aware that the REC – which is the funding agency for the loan to clear outstanding dues to various power companies – is looking for a 100 percent guarantee or a budgetary proposal which has to be put in place.

He added that the government will have to pay Rs 120 crore every year and post three years about Rs 300 crore.

“So taking that loan, is that the final solution for the reforms of the MeECL; well I say there is a little bit of grey area – so the government has to examine properly before taking such decision because if they go for a franchisee, the fate of those employees who are there will be a big question and in return the MeECL will have another burden over the burden they already have,” he opined.

Lyngdoh also suggested the government to keep in mind the interest of the MeECL, the interest of employees and the interest of the people and the state while taking any decision on the issue.

On the role of his party on this issue, he assured “we are not sitting idle, we will play a constructive role for the interest of the people and the state…whenever we find anything wrong anywhere.”

His statement comes following the stiff opposition from several quarters against the Conrad K Sangma-led state government’s alleged move to privatize the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

“Since we are in the coalition we will address internally…the head of the team is the chief minister so we have to address the chief minister whenever these issues come up from time to time,” he added.

Stating that the government is yet to take any decision regarding the issue, Lyngdoh said in fact he had recently sent a 10 points letter to the chief minister addressing concerns about the allegations/accusations which have appeared in the media reports.

“In view of this, the chief minister has responded and he has already briefed the media that an inquiry has been constituted which will look into all these allegations whether it is right or wrong. Secondly as far as this distribution franchisee is concerned, again I have sent  a letter on June 2 to the CM addressing equal concern about the MeECL and I have requested him to look into it and consider it as most urgent,” he said.

State government has decided to take a final call by next week on whether to take responsibility for payment of the over Rs 1,345 crore loan for the MeECL or handover the management of some of the distribution circles to the REC PDCL.