Political appointments
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has asserted that there were certain irregularities earlier in the political appointments in the State Government.
The statement came from the Chief Minister after as many as 85 political appointments were made to various boards and public sector undertakings since Dr Sangma assumed office last year.
Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of Founder Stone Cajee as the Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Sangma said, “We have tried to correct all the irregularities in political appointments.”
Every Chief Minister in Meghalaya has faced the constraints of ensuring political stability by packing even loss-making corporations with their camp followers and it seems that Dr Sangma is also compelled to make scores of political appointments to appease the disgruntled legislators and party men.
Dr Sangma defended the appointment, stating that his (Contd on P-10)
Govt attempting…
(Contd from P-1) predecessor had appointed over hundred individuals in different capacities to various boards and public sector undertakings.
There was a time when Meghalaya had more than 45 ministers in the House of 60 before the downsizing process that came with the 91st Amendment to the Constitution. After the downsizing of the ministry to 12, those legislators who could not be accommodated as ministers got placement in various boards and corporations with perks and allowances of cabinet ministers and ministers of state.
However, Dr Sangma is maintaining that earlier political appointments were made in contravention of bye laws and stated that there is need to amend the bye-laws appropriately.
At the time when DD Lapang was Chief Minister, there were 116 political appointees, and till March 15, 2010, an expenditure of Rs 3.29 crore was incurred on them. The senior Congress leader was Chief Minister from May 2009 till April 2010.
“We have tried to limit the numbers but there are potential leaders here who can serve the people,” Dr Sangma added while talking to reporters here on Tuesday.
It is learnt that nearly 40 Congress politicians are appointed as chairmen, vice chairman or co-chairman of various boards and public sector undertakings. The United Democratic Party (UDP) stands next with at least 10 followed by others sharing the remaining posts.
Incidentally even relatives and friends of politicians also find place in the list of political appointees. Sounder Cajee, brother of Founder Stone Cajee was appointed as Director of Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation. This raises questions of propriety and nepotism.
The Chief Minister also admitted that there were requests from the coalition partners for political appointees but the State Government has not fulfilled the requests.
When Dr Sangma took over as Chief Minister in April 20, 2010, he had denotified all the 116 appointments made by his predecessor and promised to take a fresh look at the manner in which public money is being exhausted through such appointments.