Meghalaya inks MoU with DS group, after assuring NEEPCO the same

Shillong, Nov 30 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has signed an MoU with Dharam Pal Satya Pal Group (D S Group) for setting up the 250 MW Nangalbibra thermal power project, even after assuring North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) to execute the said thermal power project in the state.

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who visited the state in June last, had announced that an MoU will be signed between the Meghalaya government and NEEPCO for setting up power projects in the state.

The projects to be developed are 720 MW Nangalbibra and 230 MW West Khasi Hills thermal power project, 90 MW Mawphu and 1000 Kynshi hydropower projects.

NEEPCO authorities said that there was an attempt by Meghalaya government to handover the projects to a few private parties rather than to NEEPCO.

Inf act, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power Dr Mukul M Sangma had announced that 32 private companies had shown their interest to invest in the power sector in the state.

The 32 power companies, including JP Group of Companies, Jindal, Essar, Athena and other big industries, have submitted Expression of Interest (EoI) for investment in the State power sector, Dr Sangma said.

Principal Secretary in-charge Power B K Dev Verma told UNI that the state government has already signed an agreement with a private company D S Group a couple of weeks back for 250 MW Nangalbibra thermal power project.

Sources, however, revealed that the government broken all government business convention by not inviting bids before signing MOU with D S group to execute the thermal power project.

Of the proposed 720 MW Nangalbibra thermal power project, he said the state government has proposed to ink the remaining 500 MW power project with NEEPCO.

''How can an autonomous body like NEEPCO work together with a private company as they are two separate entities'', senior NEEPCO official said, while expressing resentment on Meghalaya government's for making ''false promises''.

He also said NEEPCO would soon take up the matter with the Union Power Ministry for necessary action against Meghalaya government haste decision.

UNI