Four Meghalaya NGOs oppose government's move on MECL

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Four prominent social organisations of the Meghalaya, the KSU (Khasi Students Union), FKJGP (Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People), HNYF (Hynniewtrep National Youth Front) and RBYF (Ri-Bhoi Youth Front) have made it clear that they are against any move of the government to privatise the Meghalaya Energy Corpopration Limited (MECL). Taking cognizance of the development in this regard in the recently concluded Assembly session, that the Government of Meghalaya is in the process of a total saleout of the MeCEL to private players, the four frontline NGOs stated, "We would like to issue this press statement as a first step to oppose any attempt by the government to privatise this profit-making public sector of the State."

"The government must understand that it is in this public sector that lots of our people are engaged in different capacities as a means of direct and indirect employment with a scope for further employment of the educated unemployed youth", read the statement of the four organisations even as they added, ''This one time sale is only to suit the political and personal interest of certain sections and it will not serve the interest of the State in any way.''

Stating that this is a serious matter, they said that the government must weigh the pros and cons. They added, ''We, as NGOs will not allow the monetization of land assets of the Corporation in favour of the private players as this will have a direct impact on the issue of 'Meghalaya Land Transfer Act', and the government/ Corporation cannot twist the Act in favour of private companies and we will oppose tooth and nail as any such steps by the government /Corporation will increase further influx and migration into the State.''

It may be mentioned that the MeCL was under the eye of the storm in the recent past due to multiple issues related to load shedding, inability to pay salaries to its employees and others.

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