Meghalaya MeECL crises | Not sure whether removing power minister would be the solution: HSPDP

By Daia Kharsati SHILLONG:

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Wednesday questioned whether demanding the removal of Power Minister James Sangma will solve the power crisis in the state.

General Secretary Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar said, “As of now, we are not clear whether removing the power minister would be the solution. This problem has been there for a long time and successive governments have faced the same problem, so whether removing the Power Minister will be a solution? We are discussing this.”

He said that the party will be happy if they are invited to be part of the solution, but will discuss the matter at the party meeting.

Tongkhar, who is the PHE Minister, said, “I am in the government and I know how serious we are to solve the problem. We have tried our best and paid the companies who have supplied power to us, but the companies are also taking advantage by putting more demands.”

He also said that the state government is still fighting to clear the dues and make the payments so that the load shedding may be removed.

As for allegations of corruption in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited, the president of the party K.P. Pangniang said that the party will sit and discuss the matter.

It may be recalled that last month the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) coalition partner of the HSPDP, the United Democratic Party (UDP) wrote to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to relieve James Sangma and the current CMD of the MeECL from their current positions.