SHILLONG: South Shillong legislator and former deputy speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, Sanbor Shullai justified his stand on appointment of his relatives to different posts in the Assembly, saying, “Yes, I am for nepotism but to all people of the constituency.”
“As a legislator, if possible, I will give employment to all people in the constituency, we have that spirit. So why this jealousy? Hence, those people who have received my support remained firm and I still win elections,” Shullai told reporters on Tuesday.
He was reacting to the RTI query brought to the fore by two women -Victorian Marbaniang and Disyona Passah – in which they pointed out that five members from Shullai’s family are appointed in different posts in the Assembly.
Taking a dig at his political rival, Banri Kupar Wahlang, who he termed as the “president of Political RTI Contractual Agency”, Shullai said Wahlang has nowhere to go and has sent “his assistants” instead.
Referring to the “agency”, he said, “Now, why doesn’t the Political RTI Contractual Agency move a law to pressure the state government for preventing the relatives of MPs, MLAs and MDCs from applying for government jobs.”
According to him, “It is not me who appoints them. It is the wisdom of the committee which is as per merit.”
Shullai said public representatives could appeal and make recommendations for people to get jobs, admissions to schools, etc., but it was up to the wisdom of the authorities to appoint.
He further said that prior to joining politics in 1985, he often pleaded with officers for appointments to unemployed youths in various departments. “I don’t have the authority to appoint government job but I did so on social grounds,” Shullai said.
On the other hand, he slammed the comment made by Victorian Marbaniang who said he tried to garner non-tribal votes by erecting the bust of Bhaskar Choudhury, the first MDC from Laban, in September.
Terming it as a communal statement, he said there are other busts of late TH Rangad, and three freedom fighters of the state, Tirot Sing Syiem, Kiang Nangbah and Pa Togan Sangma.
“Since elections are near, they have come out with fabricated statements,” Shullai said.
Regarding the series of inauguration functions in the constituency, he said, “It is the long pending aspirations of the people.”
On the other hand, he revealed that Marbaniang would often seek financial support from him. Substantiating his claims, he showed copies of cheques that she sought help for Rs 5000 on December 22, 2016 and another Rs 10,000 on February 10, 2017.
As for Disyona Passah, Shullai said she has been appointed vice-chairman of State Government Programme Implementation & Monitoring Committee on January 19, 2017 and drawing a salary of Rs 30,000 per month.
“She has appointed her sister, Sioda Passah to a Grade IV post instead,” he said, pointing that she also indulged in nepotism.
Sitting MDC tendered resignation in November 2016
The sitting MDC of Laban, Ricky Shullai has expressed surprise at the reports that he is holding “dual posts” of a sitting MDC and that of a peon while informing that he had resigned from the post of peon on November 8, 2016.
It was according to an RTI reply provided by the Public Information Officer (PIO), Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in August, 2017 which pointed out that Ricky still held the post of a peon in the Assembly.
Substantiating his claims, he showed reporters the copy of the resignation letter he addressed to the secretary, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly dated November 8, 2016.
Interestingly, the PIO also issued a statement that according to official records, Ricky had submitted his letter of resignation from the post of peon on the date.
The PIO said Ricky was serving as a temporary peon in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and the Assembly Secretariat had accepted his resignation letter and no further pay was prepared.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Ricky said, “I came to clarify to the public and did not come to clarify to the three women (who gave press conference the previous day). It is not a surprise for such things to come out as elections are also nearing.”
“But then the allegations have made me popular since I hardly come out in the papers,” he said.
Stating that the women were former supporters during elections, Ricky said, “I can file an FIR or a defamation case since they made a false allegation but I don’t want to do that since they are people of my constituency.”
His uncle, Sanbor Shullai said, “Whatever allegations made are wrong and baseless.”
In view of the RTI reply provided by the PIO of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on August this year, which categorically pointed out that Ricky, still holds the post of peon, Sanbor said that the matter would be taken up with the Assembly Speaker.
“The lapse on the part of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will be studied,” he said.
