Opp leader demands independent inquiry into purchase of overpriced smart meters

In his petition to Modi, Sangma said, “Sir, you have always held that there is zero tolerance for corruption in New India. Your commitment to ensuring a corruption-free India gives me great expectations and hope that the Government of India will order an immediate inquiry into this matter through an appropriate Central investigation agency.”

“This is an issue that has major repercussions on the people of Meghalaya and the state’s exchequer, and therefore, your kind and urgent intervention is greatly desired in order for justice to be done,” he stated.

Sangma, who is also former chief minister, alleged that there are massive financial irregularities in the smart meter contract awarded by the Government of Meghalaya.

The state government had invited the bid for supply of 1,80,000 smart meters through tender. Based on the bid received, the Letter of Award was then issued to 2 bidders namely Satnam Global Infraprojects Ltd and JPM Industries and Inhemeter Co Ltd as joint venture partners.

As per the contract, the break-up includes ex-works price components of Rs 171,48,42,495 (which comes to about Rs 9,527 per meter) and GST component of Rs 30.86,71,649 (about Rs 1,715 per meter). With this, the total cost incurred by the Government of Meghalaya for one smart meter unit is Rs 11,242.

He said Satnam Global Infraprojects Ltd installed Liberty 150 Smart Meter smart meter manufactured by Secure Meters Ltd headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana. Whereas, the Joint venture of JPM Industries and Inhemeter Co. Itd installed Inhemeter DDZ1513.

He said now, on verifying data from the open market, it turns out that the online retail price of single Secure Meters Ltd. Liberty 150 smart meter is Rs. 5500. Similarly, the online retail market price of single Inhemeter DDZ1513 is Rs. 1,700.

“Therefore, there is a massive price discrepancy of Rs 137.55 crores between the price paid by the Government of Meghalaya for these smart meters and their price on the open market,” Sangma added.

Stating that Inhemeter Co Ltd being a Chinese company takes the financial viability away from local companies, the leader of opposition said that awarding the contract to a Chinese company does not align with the core idea of Make in India.

“It also creates a security threat as these smart meters have SIM cards installed in them and are connected to the wider mobile internet network which could allow malicious hackers and India’s adversaries to gain control of the entire power system in the state,” he further warned.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said he has decided to write a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to implement an investigation on the alleged corruption in the power sector in Meghalaya under the MDA government.

He said there should be a strong deterrence in the state to the repetition of irregularities affecting fiscal and socio-political health.

“Under the MDA Government, public resources are being spent without any accountability. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure a front of strong deterrence,” he said adding “This is precisely why we are trying to draw the attention of the government. It is not just the opposition, but the parties in the ruling dispensation including the UDP and the BJP are trying to draw the attention of the government to an inquiry.”

Asked, Sangma said  to investigate the discrepancies in the price of the implemented meters with their available market price, a commission of enquiry had been ordered. A report has been submitted to the government which has not been made public yet

“However, specific terms of reference to determine the alleged irregularities in both the Saubhagya Scheme, as well as the price discrepancies in the Smart Meters are missing in the notification of the Enquiry Commission. Therefore, I term this exercise as a mere eyewash. It is skilfully scripted with the modus operandi of fooling the people,” he said.

With respect to the Smart Meter implementation, Sangma said, “The MDA government has chosen to act as an accused and not as an action-taker. Shockingly, the government behaves as an accused whenever an irregularity crops up concerning the implementation of public funds.”

He said based on the social media post of the then Power Minister, James Sangma, indicated that he is happy to install these meters .

“There is a huge discrepancy between the available open market price and the price it was awarded to. The open market price is taken from the websites of the manufacturers. The MDA government must indicate measures taken to ensure price determination exercise,” he said.

“I have urged the Hon’ble Prime Minister in my letter, that the whole process of implementation of the Smart Meters needs to be independently investigated either through an SIT or CBI,” the former chief minister said.

He said what Meghalaya TMC is doing conforms with our responsibilities to the state. “Whenever it is an issue of protecting the interest of the people, Meghalaya TMC would step out. It is not just our responsibility as an opposition, but it is a collective responsibility of all the parties in the state,” he added.

By Our Reporter