SHILLONG: A joint meeting of the umbrella body of headmen, Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong ka Bri u Hynniewtrep (SKRSBH) and the Meghalaya People’s Labour Union (MPLU) protested against the appointment of MS Rao as the chief secretary.
The meeting held on January 10 reiterated their inability to accept Rao and urged the government to appoint Hector Marwein.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, they wanted to know from the state government whether the provisions of Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) rules, 1954 were followed in finalising the select list for the post of Chief Secretary.
Another query was whether Marwein was informed about the grounds of his supersession.
They also wanted to know whether the concurrence/ approval of the Centre was obtained to effect the promotion of Rao by supersession of Marwein
“Whether the Indian Administrative Service (fixation of cadre strength) Regulations 1955) in respect of the Assam- Meghalaya Cadre has been amended to accommodate the appointment of numerous Additional Chief Secretaries? The prescribed senior duty posts under Meghalaya is 38 where the post of Additional Chief Secretary is not included. If so when was the list of senior duty posts under Meghalaya government revised?,” they asked.
The organisations said that there is a need to appoint a local senior officer as the Chief Secretary who is not anti-tribal and who will defend tribal rights and interests, knowledgeable of history, ethos, rights and unique position under the Constitution of India.
“At this time in our history in which contentious issues like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA), demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit system in Meghalaya and amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India dominate our society, the state bureaucracy has to put the tribal people of Meghalaya first and foremost”, they said.
According to the organisations, there is an atmosphere of emerging tensions in India between several state governments and the union government over the CAA and the National Register of Citizens, the demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit system (ILP) and the need to take up the amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, New Delhi, which is coming to Shillong on January 17 which is very urgent.
“ It is doubtful whether Rao will be inclined to defend the interest and priorities of Meghalaya and its people and apart from this, there are public issues which are irritating the people like systematic load shedding, inability to pay the bills of contractors and others. Now, there is also a CBI inquiry into the illegal transportation of coal ordered by the Meghalaya Lokayukta which is a very serious matter”, they pointed out.
