SHILLONG: A delegation from the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong (Association of Village Chiefs) of Ri Bhoi District met with Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh on July 31 to submit a representation highlighting severe disruptions in electricity supply across the region.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Synjuk Secretary PB Sylliang said their primary objective was to draw urgent attention to persistent power outages causing immense hardship to Ri Bhoi residents.
Chief among their grievances was concern over the MDA government’s decision to outsource key operations—including management of muster roll workers, linemen, and other field staff in MePCL—to private agencies. The Synjuk revealed that prior consultations with MePCL officials indicated as many as 127 lineman positions remain unfilled by these agencies.
Community leaders expressed frustration with the ongoing shift of responsibility, noting that private agencies and MePDCL continue to blame each other for the acute staffing shortage. This deadlock has left village headmen unable to address local power breakdowns effectively. In response, the Power Minister assured the delegation he would intervene urgently and press the contracting agency to immediately fulfill its staffing obligations under the signed agreement.
The Synjuk also raised strong objections to MePDCL’s push to install smart meters across the district, reaffirming that both traditional authorities and residents have rejected the initiative. Village leaders cited exorbitant electricity bills as the main reason for resistance, with households fitted with smart meters reporting inflated monthly charges of ₹5,000–₹6,000.
In a region where most families rely on daily wage labor and farming, such tariffs are unsustainable. The Synjuk reiterated its stance to halt further smart meter installations in local homes.
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To address widespread public apprehension, the Minister pledged to organize awareness campaigns to explain the functioning of smart meters. However, the Synjuk pointed out that despite raising the issue in the past, MePDCL has yet to provide any concrete clarification.
The delegation urged the Power Department to swiftly detail the exact technical and tariff differences between conventional meters and smart meters, giving the government a set timeframe to address these concerns.
Community leaders made it clear that a final decision on whether to accept or reject smart meters in Ri Bhoi District would only be made after receiving a comprehensive and satisfactory official explanation.
(4FrontMedia news)
