SPB now a rehab centre for politicos: Paul
SHILLONG: Opposition UDP, while demanding strengthening of the State Planning Board (SPB), has termed the board as a rehabilitation centre for ‘those people’ with political connections.
The party legislator Paul Lyngdoh, who moved a cut motion on the functioning and relevance of the SPB on the fourth day of the Assembly session on Wednesday, said there was criticism that even after 40 years the Board had not lived up to its expectations and it had become a ‘rehabilitation centre for defeated politicians’ of the ruling coalition.
He said the SPB requires a major revamp so that it could deliver as mandated.
“Rather than politicians, we need to bring in more experts from various fields as members of the Board who can immensely contribute towards the planning process which would be beneficial for the growth and development of the State,” the UDP legislator said adding “Government should also give sufficient power to the board to meet its mandate.”
Quoting the Board’s present chairman Salseng C Marak, Lyngdoh said the chairman has rightly pointed out that the planning board is advisory in nature and added that the board’s advice was never taken seriously by the State Government. “If this is how we are treating the State Planning Board, the State will continue to slide back,” he said.”It is very important for the State Government to take the inputs and feedback given by the SPB seriously by incorporating it with the planning process in the State. Sadly, none of the Governments in the past have given importance to the views and suggestions of the Board,” the UDP legislator said.
Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma refuted Lyngdoh’s contention and said the board is being assisted by senior officials right from the level of Chief Secretary and others with experience.
“It is not true that only politicians are members of the Board. Many senior bureaucrats including Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Planning) are a part and parcel of the Board,” the Chief Minister said.
While insisting that it is not right to question the capability of the political leaders, he said that no one can deny the fact that politicians would have better insight about the ground reality since they are more connected with the common people.
While recalling the argument of the UDP legislator on the composition of the Lokayukta Bill, he said that he (Lyngdoh) had argued that it is not right that only legal experts should be members of the Lokayukta.
“At that point, the UDP legislator maintained that the political class can also play an important role in the effective functioning of the Lokayukta. I also totally agree with this argument made by him (Lyngdoh),” the Chief Minister said.
He said that the present chairman of the Board is none other than the former Chief Minister who has immensely contributed towards the socio-economic development of the State.
“The SPB had recently constituted eight working groups with specific tasks. I am confident that this would give a new dimension to the functioning of the Board,” Dr Sangma said.
He said that the State is fortunate to have institutions like the IIM, NEHU and NIT.
“We can always draw experts from these institutions to assist in formulating of new programmes and policies to take the State to new heights,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr Sangma also insisted that he does not believe in bringing experts from Delhi since they have to bear their expenses.
While endorsing the stand of the Chief Minister, Lyngdoh also said that he also does not agree with the policy of bringing in experts from outside as members of the Board.
“There are many individuals in the State who have proven their capability in their respective fields,” Lyngdoh said.
