Govt not to waive power bills

 Sangma however told reporters that the government will consider deferment in payment of electricity bills.

“We will not be charging for delay payment of electricity bills,” he added.

The minister was reacting to a query related to the requests made from different quarters for waiving off or reduction of power bills in view of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the economic and livelihood activities of people.

Sangma however said although sympathy is there, but waiving off power bills will affect payment of salaries to employees of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL). “We need to see the whole picture. It is a very challenging time but certain things cannot be done,” he added.

Earlier last month, the village dorbar of Umkiang in East Jaintia Hills has sought the intervention of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma into the need for the government to consider reducing the electricity bills of poor people by 50 percent.

In his letter, the assistant headman (waheh shnong) Kynjaimon Amse had informed that many poor people are in great distress as they are running out of cash with livelihood activities coming to a standstill due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, payment of rent, water, electricity bills, ration, medicines and food besides other needs during the present crisis has further aggravated the pain of the poor people particularly those in rural areas.

By Our Reporter