Push for separate civil services cadre hailed

SHILLONG, Dec 28: Ampareen Lyngdoh, who joined the National People’s Party (NPP) recently and was appointed as its spokesperson, praised the MDA government for pushing for a separate cadre of civil services officers for Meghalaya.
Currently, the officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) can select the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. As such, they can be transferred to any of the two states as per the requirements and choices of the two state governments.
Lyngdoh told reporters on Wednesday that it is correct for any state to have a cadre of its own. She said the shortage of civil services officers is hurting Meghalaya. She said the dearth of the officers is an obstacle in formulating and executing policies and planning.
“It is correct after 50 years to take this forward to the Government of India. The Government of India should look at it favourably,” the NPP spokesperson said, adding, “I appreciate the NDA government for taking that forward already.”
She said the NPP should pursue the matter in all honesty after the Assembly elections of next year.
Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had stated that he had requested the Centre for the bifurcation of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre into two separate cadres – one for Meghalaya and the other for Assam.