Activist dares Meghalaya CM to terminate all political appointees to save Govt money

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 25, 2024

A social activist on Wednesday dared the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to remove all political appointees from various departments if he is really concerned about the state’s exchequer.

Working president of the Human Rights and Anti Corruption Youth Power of India, Kingstone Bolwari Sangma was reacting to the CM’s statement that appointment of serving officials in the Lokayukta was to save money.

In a statement, Kingstone said, “If he (CM) really means what he is saying, I dare him to immediately remove and terminate all political appointees in various departments of the government of Meghalaya.”

He also asked the CM to explain to the people the importance of political appointees and their contribution to the growth and progress of the state.

Quoting an RTI finding, Kingstone said there are over 30 political appointments in the different departments in respect to Garo Hills region alone adding most of them are former MLAs, workers and well wishers of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).

“They include Pinto G. Momin as Vice Chairman of Eco-development society of Meghalaya of NPP, Abdus Saleh Ex-MLA as Co-chairman Tourism(MTDC) of NPP, Lamingstone K. Marak as Co-chairman MMDC Limited of NPP, Charming N. Sangma as Co-chairman in forest development Corporation of Meghalaya limited of NPP, Willness K Marak as Vice Chairman in forest development Corporation of Meghalaya limited of NPP, Dabo Marak as Vice Chairman in Commercial industries Mawmluh Cherra Cement limited, James Pangsang K. Sangma the ex-Power Minister elder brother Conrad K. Sangma as Chairman of Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation of NPP, Satto R. Marak Ex-MLA of Baghmara as Co-chairman of SGPI& MC and there are many more others political appointee in East Khasi Hills and other District of Meghalaya.”

Kingstone said that as per RTI, the power and functions of such political appointees are A+ (which is equivalent with cabinet minister), A (equivalent with MLA) and B & C category are equivalent gazetted officers.

“It also stated that the ex-MLAs are drawing their pension. Therefore, those ex-MLAs, who are appointed (as) political appointees, they are drawing double salary from the pension and from their political appointees,” he said.

He further alleged that the MDA government has also appointed a number officials on special duty (OSDs), which are the same like political appointees. “(However), these officers are untrained officers and they are taking the task of performing duties, which are equivalent to IAS and gazetted officers,” Kingstone said.

He also alleged that some of the political appointees lack the basic educational qualification but “they received handsome salaries with lots of government facilities and there are thousands of young students who are well qualified and have obtained different degrees but are living without government jobs.”

“Therefore, instead of political appointees, the government should focus on creating more jobs, giving an opportunity for highly educated youth of the state… The CM talks about saving government money and removing those Lokayukta officers but they have sufficient funds to give monthly salaries and other government facilities to the political appointees, who are equivalent to ministers, MLA and gazetted officers,” he said.