SHILLONG: The Congress led MUA-II government has effected more than 80 political appointments as per the latest list available, draining the State exchequer in the process.
MLAs, MDCs, defeated politicians and unknown faces, especially from Garo Hills, find place in the list of political appointees.
As per the list, many political appointees are either heading or are part of loss making corporations or bodies.
Some boards and corporations are yet to hold regular meetings thereby these bodies become unproductive though those who are heading them avail huge perks and allowances resulting in wasteful expenditure.
While the issue of parliamentary secretaries who are equivalent to the minister of state, had recently evoked criticism, the government has cleverly avoided equating any chairperson of the boards or corporations with the status of chief minister, cabinet minister or minister of state compared to the past.
However, perks and facilities are provided to the political appointees under the categories of A+, AA, A, B and C.
Some facilities provided under these categories are similar to those being availed by the ministers.
The category AA which is being availed only by Chairman of the State Planning Board, S.C. Marak, carried with it the honorarium of Rs.30,000 per month and allotment of a car with driver or cost of requisitioned or hired vehicle at the cost of Rs 600 per day as conveyance. 250 litres of petrol and 4 litres of mobil oil are also allotted to him per month.
Besides, free medical benefits, one telephone at office and another at residence is allotted.
Moreover, TA/DA is equated to Grade-1 officers.
As per the category, house rent in lieu of free furnished accommodation is Rs.20,000 and a one-time amount of Rs.2 lakh is also given for furnishing of house.
For maintenance of furniture, Rs.40,000 is allotted per year, besides electrical energy allowance of Rs.5,000 per month and hospitality charges of Rs.8,500 per month.
He will also avail one each PS (steno grade 1), PA (steno grade II), LDA or typist, driver, additional driver and a special assistant. Besides, five grade IV staff are also allotted at the residence or allotted quarter.
The 12 member State Planning Board headed by Marak did not hold any single meeting this year. While 11 members of the Planning Board are under category A while one more is under category B.
While former Chief Minister D.D. Lapang being the Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya is under A+ category, the KHADC CEM and Congress legislator P.N. Syiem who is heading the Meghalaya Economic Development Council is also under the same category of A+.
Curiously, Lapang is also holding another post as Chairman of State Government Programme Implementation and Monitoring Committee with the category of A+.
Earlier, Dikkanchi D. Shira, wife of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, was also under the category A+ as Chairperson of Meghalaya Resource and Employment General Council before she resigned from the post to contest the Tura by-poll.
Congress leader and son of Home Minister Roshan Warjri, Manbor Warjri, is a vice chairman of the Employment Generation Council with the category of A+.
There are as many as 13 political appointees including MLAs falling under the category of A+.
Those under category A+ avail Rs.20,000 honorarium per month, hospitality (Rs.8.500), house rent (Rs 20,000 per month), free medical benefit, requisition of vehicle (Rs.600 per day) electricity charges (Rs.5,000 per month), conveyance allowance against allotted car (250 litres petrol per month and 4 litres mobil oil). For furnishing house, Rs.2 lakh as one time assistance is given and for maintenance of furniture Rs.40,000 per annum is allotted. Other facilities include one telephone in office and another at residence. TA/DA is as per the facility allotted to Grade 1 officer.
The office staff include one each steno (grade 1 or 2), SA, PA, typist, driver, and additional driver and grade 4 staff in office as admissible. Moreover, at the residence, five grade 4 staff can be allotted.
Besides, there are as many as 39 political appointees holding the category of A, 25 persons under B category and two persons under C category.
Those who were appointed under A category avail Rs.10,000 per month as honorarium.
For conveyance, an allotted car with driver or cost of the requisitioned or hired conveyance and driver at the rate of Rs.400 per day is provided.
Besides, 200 litres of petrol per month and mobil oil (4 litres) are also provided.
While the medical benefit is free, one telephone at the residence and another at office is also provided.
TA/DA is subject to a maximum of Rs.15,000 per month, while the house rent allowance is Rs.10,000 per month, electrical energy allowance Rs.1,000 per month and hospitality charges Rs.2,000 per month. One each SA, LDA or typist, driver and an additional driver are also provided. Among the grade 4 staff, one can be appointed at office and two at the residences.
Under the category B, facilities include honorarium (Rs.7,500), conveyance (Rs.7,500), free medical treatment for the incumbent only for treatment outside the State as recommended by the DHS(MI), electricity (Rs.1,000 per month), house rent (Rs.5,000), hospitality (Rs.1000 per month) and a grade peon in office. TA/DA is subject to a maximum of Rs.8,000 per month for local tours. Tours outside the State will be permissible if the same is performed as a committee.
As per category C, the facilities are honorarium of Rs.6,000 per month, conveyance allowance of Rs.5,000 per month, free medical treatment for the functionary for treatment outside the State as recommended by the DHS (MI). Moreover, a grade 4 peon is allotted in office and the TA/DA is subject to a maximum of Rs.5,000 per month for the local tours.
