In Meghalaya it is sign and scrap policy as per as the power projects are concerned. With the state reeling under severe power crisis, several independent agencies came forward to develop power projects in the state. The state Government cancelled several power project pacts with private companies as many projects remain non starter. Many projects were abandoned by these independent agencies.
Power Minister AT Mondal informed that although the state government has signed several memorandums, not a single power project has come up, and in the process many MoUs have been cancelled.
“We have signed so many memorandums and I am very sad to say today that not a single memorandum under which projects were taken by independent power agencies has come up, so in the process some became very obsolete also, we had to cancel the MOU also,” the Power Minister said.
However, no penalties were levied by the Government against these independent agencies.
Asked whoerse fault was it, the power Minister said, “No ones fault because the Independent power producers came with an idea to have power projects in the state, so they requested us and we also need power in the state, so, memorandums have been signed but after that they have not shown any interest.”
Reacting to the proposal by Hynniewtrep Youth’s Council (HYC) for the revival, and setting up of power projects such as Rangmaw Hydel Project, Kynshi Hydel Project (Stage 2), thermal power plant in South West Khasi Hills, beside others, Mondal said,
“Many projects because of the financial problems , because of the resistance from the people we cannot take up, so this proposal came today and we will look into it if this can be done from any angle we will take up,” he said while referring to Rangmaw Hydel Project.
On the Kynshi Hydel Project (Stage 2), the Power Minister said, “ Kynshi Hydel Project (Stage 2) the independent party is not interested in the project and the government will have to look for other options.”
He further informed that the Kynshi Hydel Project will be scrapped soon as the independent power producer has come up with a new model which according to them is more viable.
“They want amendment in the old project but as the project is the new one and with new ideas and new technology. You cannot amend each and every line so will scrap the old MoU and go with the new MoU to execute the new project with the same group,” the Minister said.
While maintaining that the state Government is not signing an fresh agreement with any independent agency, Mondal said, “Our interest is that we will get 12 percent of the free power as per Hydel power projects are concern , we will get one percent for the local areas development and the CSR fund for the local area development. “