Shillong, June 23: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday reviewed issues related to electricity supply, billing practices and consumer grievances in areas managed by SAI Computers Limited under the Distribution Franchisee arrangement of the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), directing authorities to prioritise service improvement and public trust.
The review meeting, held at the State Guest House in Taraghar, was attended by Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited, Sanjay Goyal, senior officials of MePDCL, representatives of SAI Computers and other concerned officials.
During the meeting, SAI Computers presented an overview of operations in its franchise areas, highlighting several inherited challenges, including a large number of defective meters, ageing power infrastructure, transformer failures, unmetered connections, gaps in consumer data and billing-related issues.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that a significant number of consumers in the franchise areas belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and that many meters were already non-functional when the company took over operations. Efforts are currently underway to replace faulty meters, upgrade network infrastructure and resolve long-standing technical issues affecting electricity supply.
Expressing concern over public complaints regarding high electricity bills and irregular power supply, Sangma stressed that consumer welfare and service delivery must remain the top priority. “Electricity is one of the most sensitive public services because it directly affects households every month. If people are paying higher bills and yet are not receiving reliable power, there will naturally be frustration. We must understand the concerns of the people and respond accordingly,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that while the franchisee inherited several operational difficulties, consumers judge the system based on the quality of service they receive. He directed both SAI Computers and MePDCL to adopt a more consumer-centric approach while implementing reforms. “The public does not care who inherited the problem. They want better service. Therefore, the focus must first be on improving power supply, replacing transformers and meters, and strengthening infrastructure. Once people begin to see improvements, trust will be built,” he said.
Sangma also highlighted complaints regarding consumer interactions and emphasised the importance of respectful engagement with the public. He urged the franchisee to strengthen communication and outreach efforts to address misunderstandings and build confidence among consumers.
The Chief Minister directed SAI Computers to conduct extensive public outreach programmes involving local leaders, church representatives, NGOs, teachers and other stakeholders to explain ongoing improvements, challenges and implementation timelines. He also called for timely resolution of consumer grievances and regular collection of public feedback.
Emphasising the need to balance financial sustainability with consumer welfare, Sangma advised the franchisee to implement billing-related measures in a phased manner and avoid imposing sudden financial burdens on consumers while infrastructure upgrades are still in progress. “Let us solve the problem first. We have to understand the people’s concerns and work together to provide better service. We are one team and our objective is to ensure reliable power supply for the people,” he said.
The Chief Minister assured stakeholders that the State Government would continue supporting investments in power infrastructure, including substations, transformers and network strengthening projects, to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for consumers.
MeECL CMD Sanjay Goyal informed the meeting that several infrastructure improvement projects are already being implemented under various schemes, including the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). He stressed the need for faster replacement of defective meters, transformer upgrades, improved voltage management and stronger consumer engagement in affected areas.
The meeting concluded with directions to SAI Computers and MePDCL to accelerate infrastructure improvements, strengthen consumer awareness and outreach initiatives, expedite metering and transformer replacement programmes, and submit regular progress reports for review by the State Government.
