Consumers at receiving end of MeECL's 'irresponsible' conduct

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, Nov 7: Seng Samla Mawkneng president Curtis Rani has accused Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) of dispatching bills to consumers of Mawkneng village without checking the consumers’ meters.

Addressing reporters in the city on Tuesday, Rani said: “We have found that some meters listed as damaged are still functioning and some damaged meters have been listed as functioning by the MeECL.”

He said even the present readings of the meters shown in the bills are different from the actual readings shown in the consumers’ meters.

“MeECL has failed to provide tariff bills to its consumers on the ground that their meters were defective. However, in the subsequent month, the corporation has dispatched bills to consumers,” he said.  

“What is the use of having a meter and a meter reader if the corporation is not dispatching bills to its consumers as per the readings of the meters?” he asked.

Rani said he has lodged complaints in this connection on a number of occasions with the Chief Engineer, CEO Central Circle, Executive Engineer (Revenue) Sub Division-1 Lumjingshai, Shillong.

“We have also apprised MLA HDR Lyngdoh last year on this matter, including the Chief Engineer. However, till date no action has been taken,” he rued.

Rani said due to lack of seriousness by the MeECL authorities to rectify this problem, he had filed an FIR at East Khasi Hills SP Crime Branch office on Monday against the Executive Engineer (Revenue) Sub-Division 1 Lumjingshai, including Sohiong Revenue Section, MePDCL.

“We urge the police to take up the case seriously and action should be taken against those people involved in deceiving the consumers by not dispatching the correct electricity bills,” he said.