KSU, FKJGP unhappy despite scrapping of power deals

Shillong, Jul 27 (UNI) The Khasi Students Union (KSU) and Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) expressed their unhappiness despite the Meghalaya government scrapping the controversial power deals with two private companies and deciding to rewrite MoAs with four other power developers in the state.

Both the organisations have been demanding scrapping of the power deals inked with six private companies. The KSU and FKJGP separately called a meeting on July 30 to discuss in detail about the Cabinet decision and formally announce their next course of action in this regard.

The state government, on Thursday, decided to rescind the Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs), inked with two private power companies, to develop power projects of 1,100 MW and rewrite MOAs with four other power developers in the state.

Jaypee Group and Athena Project Private Limited, assigned to develop Kynshi stage II and Umngot and Kynshi stage 1 hydro power projects and these would be scrapped, state Power Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

However, Mr Sangma said the government would rewrite the MoAs with four private companies - ETA Star Infrastructure Limited, NEEPCO, SEW Energy Limited and Seven Sisters Energy Limited - developing power projects below 100 MW in the interest of the state.

''The government should withdraw MoAs for other smaller projects like Umjaut (69 MW) and Umduna (57 MW) and medium hydro-power projects above 25 MW and below 100 MW should be allotted through MoAs,'' the FKJGP demanded.

Meanwhile, the Power Minister said the state would face a grim power scenario during the next five years due to the scrapping of the power projects. The number of hours of load shedding would also be increased due to shortage of power, he added.

UNI PB DPM KK HT1340