Shillong, Mar 17: Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma on Thursday demanded the state government to set up a separate inquiry into the implementation of the smart metering project in the state.

“The terms of reference of the Independent Inquiry Committee already notified by the state government are not specific to the particular project. Therefore, may I get a categorical assurance from the government to have a separate commission of inquiry to go specifically into this area of concern,” Sangma said while raising supplementary queries in the Assembly.

Sangma said he appreciated the government’s decision that the independent inquiry committee will go into all aspects of the functioning of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to understand the weakness and strength of the different arms of the organization.

He, however, said that taking into consideration narratives and conversation in the state emanated out of the implementation of the smart metering project, in addition to the independent inquiry committee, the separate commission of inquiry will go into details of this particular issue in order to instill confidence in the people of the state.

In his reply, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power Prestone Tynsong asked the Leader of Opposition to be patient since the Independent Inquiry Commission is expected to submit its report into alleged irregularities in MeECL to the state government before March 31.

“I request the LO to wait till the report comes. We are transparent, we will not hide even a comma or a full-stop, we will make sure the public should know what the government is doing,” he assured.

When Sangma continued to insist for a separate probe, Tynsong said, “The terms of reference as far as procurement is concerned, it is specific. You can’t say it is not specific. That is why I fail to understand why the LO is still insisting on a separate judicial inquiry when in fact this is the government who did it despite no one doing this all these years.”

Quoting the terms of reference, Tynsong said the inquiry should cover the corporation’s own procurement as well as major procurements made under central government sponsored scheme, state funded schemes and externally aided projects.

“This is a very clear terms of reference so I would request the LO to kindly be patient and let the report comes and then we will see what is to be done next,” he said.

When the opposition chief whip George B Lyngdoh asked if the inquiry will not be affected with the project being implemented side by side, the deputy chief minister said that “the moment we constitute the inquiry, no payment was made anymore as we are waiting for the report.”

Earlier, Tynsong informed that the Independent Inquiry Committee had been notified to inquire inter alia, into the various aspects of functioning of the MeECL pertaining to procurement, AT&C losses and Human Resources Management from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2021.

Justice RN Mishra, a retired High Court Judge was appointed as Chairman of committee, retired IAS officer Manoj Kumar as Administrative Member and retired REC Executive Director Sunil Kumar as Technical Member.

The Independent Inquiry Committee has commenced its proceedings and has made 18 sittings till date, he said.

It has issued public notice inviting interested persons to depose before it, met officials of MeECL and has sought all the required documents from MeECL, he said.

“At present, the committee is preparing the report for submission before the deadline on March 31, 2022,” Tynsong added.