Organisations unhappy with FEDCO over continuous power cuts

Newmai News Network
SHILLONG, Feb 16: Various organisations from the Phulbari region have expressed their disgust over the abnormally frequent power cuts that have been taking place across the plain belt of West Garo Hills district and termed the situation as ‘unbearable’.
Feedback Energy Distribution Company Limited (FEDCO) has been contracted on an experimental basis to provide electrical services across the plain belt in place of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), in a move that was expected to provide better revenue collection and also service to the people. However of late, the company has been blamed for negligence as well as non-restoration of electricity for days together. Earlier the All Meghalaya Minority Students’ Union (AMMSU) had hit out at FEDCO over non-restoration of power for four days with the Phulbari NGOs also joining the condemnation. The organisations including the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), A'chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) and Centre for Environment Protection and Rural Development (CEPARD) among others have now come out in anger and asked the company to get its act together.
“It is more like disco lights. Lights come and go at the rate of disco lights. Earlier someone tried keeping a count but stopped after 80 power cuts during a day. The service they promised and what we are getting is completely different,” said GSU–Phulbari president, FR Marak.
Incidentally when the organisation members went to the office of FEDCO to confront the management, they found no one who could address their concerns – further angering them.
“Exams for children are currently on and they don’t have the courtesy to ensure power at this time. Who is going to be responsible for their bad results if they are not able to study? Further this is the season for ‘Rabi’ crop plantation and farmers are in serious distress due to lack of power. FEDCO has to take responsibility to ensure normalcy in power distribution,” added CEPARD president SR Sangma.
The organisations also alleged that the company is more interested in revenue collection than providing services.
“This has to change and they have to ensure normalcy. We will escalate the matter very quickly if they don’t work as they are supposed to,” warned the organisations.