Shillong, July 30: The Committee on Public Undertakings of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Thursday reviewed pending loan recoveries involving public sector undertakings and examined CAG observations over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the SAUBHAGYA and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).
The oral evidence meeting was chaired by Committee Chairperson Charles Marngar and attended by members Banteidor Lyngdoh, Sanjay A. Sangma, Subir Marak and Santa Mary Shylla. Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretary Malthus S. Sangma, Power Secretary Ramakrishna Chitturi and senior Power Department officials were also present.
While reviewing the loan account of CMJ Breweries Pvt. Ltd., Byrnihat, the Committee expressed concern over the slow pace of repayment. Against a principal loan amount of Rs 61.94 crore, Rs 23.98 crore has been repaid, while around Rs 29 crore remains outstanding. The repayment deadline is August 2026.
The Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) informed the Committee that efforts were being intensified to recover the outstanding amount. The Committee directed the department concerned to submit a detailed report and said the matter would be closely monitored.
The panel also reviewed the cases of Greystone Smelters and Greystone Strips Limited. It was informed that loans involving both companies had been written off following approval by the MIDC Board of Directors at its 242nd meeting on September 24, 2025.
The Committee, however, clarified that a write-off does not amount to a waiver and directed the management to continue pursuing recovery. The companies have reportedly been given one week to clear their dues.
In other cases, the Committee was informed that Aura Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. had fully repaid its Rs 51-crore loan. Outstanding dues involving Badhok Nongmalieh Ford Dealer, Mawiong Rim, were settled through the transfer of a 43,22,000-square-foot property at Kawa Sing, Rani in Ri-Bhoi district.
The Committee also examined observations in the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report on the Social and Economic Sectors for the year ended March 31, 2022, relating to “Undue Financial Benefit to Contractors under SAUBHAGYA and DDUGJY”.
During the review, the Committee noted that payments had allegedly been released without proper verification of mandatory insurance documents. The Power Department assured the panel that appropriate action would be initiated against officials found responsible. The Committee directed the department to submit a comprehensive report within one month. Marngar said the Committee would continue monitoring the pending issues, particularly those concerning the Power Department.
Members Santa Mary Shylla, Banteidor Lyngdoh and Sanjay A. Sangma also raised concerns over the shortage and non-availability of transformers in several areas of the state. The issue was taken up with the Power Department, with the members stressing the need to ensure timely availability of transformers to prevent disruption of electricity supply.
