Talking Point | Beryl Sangma
Not many bankers choose politics as a post-retirement engagement. But for Beryl Sangma, it was a natural course. Sangma, whose father Karnesh R Marak was the first Member of Parliament from Garo Hills, says he grew up “in that environment”. But before being a politician, he is a successful banker.
Sangma is the first Garo to become the chief general manager of the Reserve Bank of India. Born and brought up in Tura, Sangma left Garo Hills in 1974 to join St Anthony’s College in Shillong. Later, he went to Delhi University. During his two-year stint with the Christian Students’ Ministry for North East, “I learned about the numerous tribes and got interested in tribal culture”. So the Botany student readily switched to Social Anthropology.
The 61-year-old retired banker says his getting into RBI has a long story. “A friend came and asked me and another friend to sit for the RBI exam. I was reluctant as I knew I would not get through,” he recollects. But Sangma did get through the examination and interview. In fact, he was the highest scorer.
Reminiscing about his father, Sangma, a Don Bosco Tura alumnus, says since Marak was a former military person, there were strict rules in the house “and the discipline helped me in my life, studies and career”.
“My father was honest and straightforward. He was an avid reader, a good writer and poet and translated Macbeth in Garo. He was also instrumental in laying down the Garo customary laws,” he says.
The seasoned banker and greenhorn politician is easy with conversation. He is hospitable and always wears a pleasant smile on his face. Politics makes him sit up but when it comes to talking about banking and his various roles in RBI, CBI and even Interpol, his countenance changes and his eyes shine.
Sangma joined the Congress before the Assembly elections and he says his decision was greatly based on Mukul Sangma’s development-oriented approach. Though a new entrant in the party, Beryl is quite vocal about how it needs to be reorganised. His involvement with various central government offices, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, gives him an edge over any contemporary politician. But he is down-to-earth and patient.
In an interview with Nabamita
Mitra at his residence in Tura, Sangma talks about his banking profession, politics and future. Excerpts:
You were the first Garo to become the RBI chief general manager in the northeastern circle? What were the challenges here?
I was the banking ombudsman for the NE circle and Uttar Pradesh. Financial awareness in the North East is very poor. One would never give complaints in writing. Tripura was active though. So I would conduct financial awareness programmes, coin melas. For coin melas, we would transport bags of coins to the district. I did a study on loan waiver programmes in Meghalaya, especially in Ri Bhoi’s Bhoirymbong. I found that wealthy people got loans and the poor were left out. Implementation was defective. There were no
follow-ups (after loan payment) and political influence was high. Also, the subsidy culture in NE has to go.
How is financial inclusivity in the North East?
It was poor. For instance, in Ukhrul, there was only one bank between 1972 and 2005 catering to 7,000 customers. We would send money by helicopter. But financial inclusivity has improved in this region.
You were also in CBI and Interpol. Please share your experience.
I was with the CBI’s economic offences and money laundering section and traveled across the country. I handled some of the high profile cases and one such was the Ketan Parekh case (Parekh was a Mumbai-based stock broker and was convicted for stock market manipulation between 1998 and 2001). During that time, I would not stay in one place for two days and had to constantly shift. The stint with CBI and Interpol was adventurous but I enjoyed every responsibility that I took up.
You were with IIBM too. What were the changes under you?
My focus was cyber crime at IIBM, Guwahati. The institute came to be known across the country because we did some unique programmes.
So from finance to politics, how did it happen?
Since my father was in politics, I grew up in that environment. I always wanted to help people. During my college days in Shillong, I was involved with student politics. We (Robert Kharshiing and I) formed a political party called MDP (Meghalaya Democratic Party) and we were getting big… But I was forced to leave Shillong.
What do you think about the saffron surge and the policies of the current government?
You see, if you put bamboos on fire, the flames will go up very fast but will also come down fast. BJP’s surge is like that. GST (Goods and Services Tax), CAB (Citizenship Amendment Bill), demonisation are all wrong policies. Now people are disappointed. There is a hidden agenda and there is intolerance everywhere. However, there is no doubt about the dynamism in Modi’s leadership.
You joined the Congress that is struggling in almost every state. How do you think it can turn around?
When I joined the Congress, the condition was not that bad. I joined the party because of Mukul Sangma who is development-oriented and (his approach is) irrespective of party affiliation. Under his tenure so many districts were formed and the administration came close to the people. Secondly, it became possible for people to place their grievances immediately.
I was surprised (after the Assembly elections) that the Congress lost its seats in Garo Hills. I was also surprised that Lapang (veteran Congress leader DD Lapang) quit the party (Lapang joined NPP a few months before the state elections in 2018).
As far as turnaround is concerned, the Congress has not introspected. We have not discussed (the weaknesses in the party). And no one is concerned. We need organisational changes. My son and I went to rural areas for campaigning (before the Assembly elections). There is need for reorganisation (in those areas). I intend to discuss this issue (with the high command). At the national level too, we need changes, if not drastic but in strategic places.
What about electoral politics?
I have been getting requests (from supporters) to join the fray. Let us see, it is God’s will and will of the people.