Shillong, June 7: The key coalition member of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance’s (MDA) key, United Democratic Party (UDP) has urged the state government to form an expert committee before taking any decision on leasing out the MeECL distribution circles to Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company (REC PDCL).
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Monday, UDP chief adviser and former deputy chief minister, Bindo M. Lanong said, “For the safety and interest of the government and the State in particular, I suggest that the government may instead form its own expert committee with its own technocrats and experts from the State whose past experience will be of worthy guidance for the government, increase for a few years, budget provision for the Power department and retain your government’s say and control during the entire period, which right your government will however, be denied during the period of lease to the Company. Your government may look for better options available, but lease should be the last option, to my opinion.”
He said the party leaders along with some concerned community leaders of the society had consultations and felt that leasing out part of the department to company, reflects not only failure on the part of the government, but the risk factor that the government has to look into is a matter of serious worry and concern.
Lanong added be it 10, 20 or 30 years lease, during such lease period the company’s prerogative, privileges and rights will prevail over that of the government, which will not only affect government control over working and running of the department, but the financial, and other policies, employment aspect and control will be more in jeopardy.
According to him, this is because the priority of the company is to look first for its own interest and benefits, government’s secondary, no matter the conditions laid down in the lease agreement, which can always be adjusted and handled.
Meanwhile, Lanong said that the party assured to extend full cooperation and support in government’s endeavor to protect the interest of the state and its people.
