Protests force Meghalaya to review power privatisation

Government’s decision to hand over six power projects in Meghalaya...

Government’s decision to hand over six power projects in Meghalaya to private companies has sparked widespread protests with various other organisations joining hands with the Khasi Student’s Union, which had at first raised the banner of protest.

Headmen of the greater Shillong city under the umbrella of Ka Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (KSKRS) hopped on to the anti-privatisation bandwagon on Wednesday, demanding that the Cabinet, which will meet on January 18 to review the handing over of the power project to private companies, must scrap the deal. In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister D D Lapang, the headmen have said that privatisation of the power was a “total sellout” of the State resources and Government must revoke it.

The Federation of A’chik Freedom (FAF), which had called a bandh on Tuesday in the three districts of Garo Hills — East, West and South Garo Hills — has for now called off its agitation and has decided to wait for the Cabinet decision.

Story continues below this ad

The Federation of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People’s (FKJGP) which had also staged a day-long hunger strike on Tuesday against the privatisation move has also decided to wait for the Cabinet decision.

The KSU has also kept its agitation in abeyance and is waiting for the Cabinet meet to review the Government decision. KSU president Samuel Jyrwa has warned of continuing with agitation if the Government fails to scrap the deal.

FAF president Mac D Shira also said that the agitation will continue till the Government scraps the deal.

In a hurriedly convened Cabinet meeting last month a decision was taken to enter into a joint venture with private companies to develop six power projects under the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) system for 40 years.

Story continues below this ad

The Jaypee Group, Dharampal Satyapal Group, ETA Star infrastructure Limited, Athena Project Private Limited, Seven Sisters Energy Limited and SEW Energy Limited were identified to develop the Kynshi Stage-I, Kynshi Stage-II, Umngot, Leshka Stage-II, Umiew and Simsang Basin.

There are voices of protests from within the Government as well. Four Cabinet Ministers — R G Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh, Prestone Tynsong and Deputy Chief Minister Donkupar Roy — are also opposed to the Cabinet decision of handing over the power projects to private companies. They said the decision was taken in their absence and have written to Chief Minister D D Lapang to convene a Cabinet meeting to review its decision.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge power, Mukul Sangma told mediapersons that the Government would go ahead with its decision to allow private companies to develop six power projects in the state.