SHILLONG: The Synjuk ki Khlieh Nongshynshar Shnong (Association of Traditional Village Heads) of Mawsynram C&RD Block, led by Chairman Hiamdor Rapsang, met with the State Power Minister today to express strong opposition to the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited’s (MePDCL) recent decision to hand over the Mawsynram electrical sub-division to a new company, Sai Computer LTD, effective November 1, 2025.
The move comes immediately after MePDCL terminated its decade-long franchise agreement with the previous operator, Feedback Energy Distribution Company Limited (FEDCO), which was in operation for 6-7 years.
History of Franchising and Grievances
The Mawsynram subdivision was traditionally managed by MePDCL. However, in 2019, MePDCL announced its intention to outsource operations to a private franchisee, FEDCO (referred to as FaTco/Fatco in the original text), for a 10-year period. While this was preceded by a public announcement, village leaders claim the subsequent 6-7 years under FEDCO were fraught with difficulties.
Poor Service: Residents faced numerous problems with electricity supply and management under the previous company.
Lack of Clarity: The operational structure was confusing, creating “two centers of power” (FEDCO and MePDCL), leading to confusion among consumers regarding where to seek redressal. This confusion is cited as the reason for the contract’s premature termination.
Opposition to New Agreement
Village leaders expressed shock and dismay that MePDCL, on the same day it terminated FEDCO’s contract (November 1, 2025), immediately issued a notification handing over operations to Sai Computer LTD for another 10-year term, allegedly without consulting local authorities or the public.
Rapsang stated: “This puts the village leaders in a state of wonder because for 6-7 years under FaTco, we had to face many unclear and confusing problems… Now, without the knowledge of the village authorities, without the knowledge of the residents, [MePDCL] has simply handed it over to another unknown company.”
Key Demands and Concerns
The Synjuk appealed to the Power Minister to direct the government to stop outsourcing electricity distribution to private companies and insist that MePDCL take direct control of the supply system.
Their primary concerns are:
Risk of Failure: Given that the first franchisee agreement failed after only 6-7 years, the village leaders question why MePDCL is repeating the same strategy, calling it a “guinea pig experiment” for Mawsynram residents.
Loss of Central Schemes: The presence of a franchisee operator prevents Mawsynram from benefiting from crucial Central Government schemes like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), which other MePDCL-operated areas receive for infrastructure renewal. Mawsynram’s electrical infrastructure is described as “very old” and in urgent need of renewal.
Incomplete Projects: Pre-existing schemes like Saubhagya and Rural Electrification projects, which have been ongoing for 3-4 years, have been left incomplete. Contractors have disappeared, leaving many new homes without connections, even though residents provided land for transformers and posts.
Urgent Need for Connections: Many families in the area are hoping to get new connections before Christmas and the New Year, a goal currently blocked by the ongoing issues.
Apart from Mawsynram, similar distribution franchising models have been implemented in Phulbari, Nagalbibra, and Dalu in Garo Hills. The Synjuk argues that MePDCL should manage power distribution directly across the state.
