Govt to take action against PWD engineer for ‘political activities’: Tynsong 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 17, 2022

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Public Works Department Prestone Tynsong on Thursday said the department has decided to issue explanation notice to the executive engineer Ransom Sutnga for his alleged involvement in “political activities”.

“Necessary action will also be taken according to the provisions of the service rules,” Tynsong assured in the Assembly. 

He was replying to a zero hour notice moved by AITC legislator from Rangsakona Zenith Sangma, who demanded action be taken against Sutnga for violating the Meghalaya Service Conduct Rules, 2019. 

Quoting a news report, Sangma said that Sutnga, who is the executive engineer in PWD(Building) and Dr WR Kharlukhi, who is the Rajya Sabha MP and state president of the National People’s Party (NPP) held a party meeting under Shillong North consttutency recently. 

In the meeting, Dr Kharlukhi introduced and felicitated by putting the scarf having NPP symbol and announced that Sutnga will be the party candidate from Shllong North in the next Assembly polls.

“Now the question is Sutnga is still the executive engineer in the PWD (Buildings) and he has not resign from his post till date but whereas he is holding meeting in political platforms and involving in political activities so does the law permit?” Sangma asked. 

Referring to the Meghalaya Service Conduct Rules 2019, Sangma said it clearly stated that “any government employees cannot participate in any political activities or be part of any political party as long as he or she is in service.” 

According to him, when anybody is involved in any political activities when anyone is in service definitely one will misuse his position and there can be favortism and nepotism which is of course against the law. 

“The action of Sutnga who is still the executive engineer of the PWD attracts the provision of the Meghalaya Service Conduct Rules, 2019. Therefore, action shoiuld be definitely taken against this officer under the provisions of law otherwise it is going to create bad precedence and that there can be serious ramification in the future because majority of the people they don’t read books, they go by the trend. Therefore, I urge upon the government to take appropriate action under appropriate sections of the relevant laws and rules and send a strong message to any other such government employees iin future,” Sangma demanded.