SHILLONG: Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh has announced that he has directed his department to take all possible legal and administrative measures against Sai Computer LTD. This is the private company responsible for managing the Mawsynram Sub Division and overseeing the electricity distribution across three constituencies in the region.
The Minister’s directive follows widespread complaints from local residents regarding the highly irregular and inconsistent power supply in the area.
Regarding the electricity distribution managed by Sai Computer LTD, local public representatives, residents, village leaders, and various pressure groups have jointly lodged complaints about the company’s total failure to provide regular power supply.
In addition to the erratic power, residents have been severely burdened by inflated electricity bills, which has caused immense hardship for the local populace.
Recently, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Mawsynram circle even threatened to march to the Secretariat if the government continued to turn a deaf ear to the public’s demand to remove the company from the region and allow the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to take over the power distribution directly.
Speaking to media persons, Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh stated that a high-level meeting was recently held concerning Sai Computer LTD, which operates as a franchisee under MeECL in the Mawsynram sub-division. H
e explained that after thorough deliberations, it was noted that while the legal dispute is currently pending before the court of law, the department cannot ignore the essential public service needs of the entire sub-division.
He further added that the MLAs of the three affected constituencies—Mawphlang, Mawsynram, and Ranikor—had met him twice to discuss the matter and find a way out of this crisis for the residents. Consequently, he ordered the department to move forward and explore alternative options and legal remedies through the office, without delaying the matter despite the ongoing court case.
The Minister acknowledged that consumers in the region are facing numerous grievances, particularly regarding irregular electricity supply and various issues related to meter readers and billing.
He emphasized that the power department must actively listen not just to public representatives but also to pressure groups and other local bodies who have raised concerns about the company’s failure to discharge its duties faithfully. He assured that the department would take swift action to address these anomalies.
Furthermore, he clarified that while the delay so far in resolving the issue was due to the ongoing litigation in court, the department will try to expedite the process as much as possible in accordance with the law, without committing contempt of court. He added that the department and the legal cell are currently consulting each other to ensure there are no further delays in resolving the matter.
The Power Minister also informed that he has fully apprised the Chief Minister of the situation, and the Chief Minister has authorized the department to take necessary action to resolve the public’s grievances, while strictly ensuring that the government’s steps do not conflict with the ongoing court proceedings.
