The latest to have joined the elite circle of Advisors to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya is the former Chairman, State Planning Board, Lambor Malngiang. His place has been taken by the newly elected MLA of Rajabala, Mr Abdus Saleh. This is nothing but a game of thrones where the present incumbents on the throne want to hang on for as long as they can by wending their way around constitutional amendments. According to the 91st Amendment Act of 2003, clause (1A) makes a specific provision that the total number of ministers in the central government, including the prime minister, can in no case exceed 15 % of the total number of Lok Sabha members. This Amendment applies to the states as well.
The Amendment to the Constitution putting a cap on the number of ministers was carried out to curb the abnormally large council of ministers that were sworn in. This is a drain on the exchequer and a superfluous exercise particularly in the smaller states like Sikkim, Mizoram and Goa which have an Assembly strength of 40 members only. In these states a minimum strength of 7 ministers is proposed. Prior to the 91st Amendment Act, ministers would be sworn in installments. Normally the first swearing in would have just a few ministers. Then the cabinet would be expanded to accommodate those whose loyalties remain questionable and who are capable of shifting parties mid-stream. This was true especially prior to the passing of the Anti-Defection Act. Meghalaya is known for its coalition governments which remained inconstant. We have had several toppling games and chief ministers that could never last their full terms.
What has become dark humour now is that if an MLA cannot be accommodated as a minister in the cabinet he/she is given one of these posts created to beat the 91st Amendment Act. So, while the incumbents are not actually ministers their posts are equivalent to a ministerial berth with the same pay and perks. With so many Advisors it is astonishing that the MDA Government is still floundering in several areas of development. In normal circumstances it is the bureaucracy that advises or should be advising the Chief Minister on the ground situation and how those are to be addressed. Besides, senior bureaucrats are also seasoned administrators who can pitch in with ideas that can be taken forward. Meghalaya cannot afford these gratuitous posts which are not in public interest but for short-term political interests only.
