Shillong, February 23, 2026: On the fifth day of the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, members from both the treasury and opposition benches participated in the discussion on the Governor’s Address, with several legislators flagging pressing issues affecting their constituencies.
Among those who spoke was Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang, who highlighted concerns related to the Home (Police), Power, and Public Health Engineering (PHE) Departments, particularly those impacting residents of Mawlai and Shillong city.
Delay in Police Promotions
During his speech, Marbaniang raised the issue of delayed promotions within the Police Department, especially in the Armed Branch. He said several police personnel had approached him, expressing frustration over prolonged stagnation in their careers.
According to the information shared with him, while some constables recruited in 1998, 2000, and 2001 have already been promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector (SI), many personnel from the Armed Branch are yet to receive similar promotions despite existing vacancies. He urged the government and the concerned Minister to examine the matter thoroughly and ensure fairness in the promotion process.
Shortage of Mini Fire Tenders in Shillong
The Mawlai legislator also flagged the shortage of fire tenders, particularly mini fire tenders, in Shillong. He pointed out that in several fire incidents, as many as five fire tenders were dispatched but were unable to reach the site due to congested and narrow roads.
Stressing the need for improved emergency response, he recommended that mini fire tenders be made available at every fire station in Shillong. He further proposed the establishment of a new fire station in the Mawlai–Mawiong area, noting that Mawlai is one of the largest constituencies, including areas such as Nongkohlew and adjoining localities.
Frequent Power Outages, Abnormal Bill Hike
While welcoming the government’s assurance of adequate power supply and the absence of scheduled load shedding over the past two years, Marbaniang said frequent unscheduled outages continue to affect Mawlai and other parts of the state. He noted that such disruptions have impacted students and those dependent on electricity for their livelihoods.
Citing specific figures, he stated that electricity bills for one consumer were ₹1,265 in August 2025, ₹1,028 in September, ₹1,115 in October, and ₹1,180 in November. However, the bill surged to ₹5,894 in January 2026 and further to ₹8,552 in February — reflecting an increase of nearly 400 percent.
He claimed that this was not an isolated case, as many residents have reported similar “abnormal” hikes in electricity bills. The MLA urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Marbaniang also pointed to the presence of damaged and tilted electric poles in Mawlai, describing them as serious safety hazards. Despite complaints lodged with the Power Department, several issues remain unresolved. In one instance, he said, a wooden plank was used to support a leaning electric pole, putting public safety at risk.
Although the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme has been implemented, he added that some households in Mawlai are still without electricity and called on the department to address these gaps on priority.
Greater Laitkor Water Supply Scheme Concerns
Referring to the PHE Department, the MLA stated that although the government has announced the completion of the Greater Laitkor Water Supply Scheme, residents are yet to fully benefit from it.
He said that in one locality in Mawlai, leakage points were identified and inspected jointly by him and officials. However, the problem resurfaced within a few months, leading to water shortages and raising concerns about the safety and proper distribution of the supply.
Concluding his speech, Marbaniang said he had several additional issues to raise but was constrained by time. He urged the concerned Ministers to take prompt and serious action to address the matters highlighted during the discussion on the Governor’s Address.
