By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 20: Leader of Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh has sought clarity over the composition of the state government company, Meghalayan Medical Drugs & Services Limited (MMDSL), which was incorporated in November last year.
Raising the matter in the Assembly on Wednesday, Lyngdoh said that the booklet of the Meghalaya Drugs List, 2023, made available to all the members of the House, does not mention who is the Director of the company.
“In the page 13 of the booklet, it is mentioned that a committee of 31 members was constituted. There was no mention of who is the director of the company. I am not a legal expert, but I also understand that in a proprietorship concern, there is always a proprietor. Likewise in partnership firms there are partners and accordingly a company should also have a director,” the opposition leader observed.
He requested Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh to provide the Certificate of Incorporation as well as copies of Memorandum of Association and Article of Association of the company.
“I would like to know since the time of incorporation of the MMDSL whether any general meeting was ever held. If the reply is in the affirmative, then whether the government can apprise the house about the persons who attended the meeting and the minutes of the meeting,” Lyngdoh said.
He said that the board cannot have more than 15 members. “Here we have 31 members. So if you have more than 15 members, then you should make special resolutions to include more members. So may I ask the minister to take note that all these things need to be followed if the MMDSL is incorporated under the Companies Act,” Lyngdoh said.
He also asked who the company’s shareholders were besides the operator of the company’s accounts.
In her reply, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh disclosed that 31 members include key officials such as the Director of Health Services (MI), Director of Health Services (MCH&FW), and Director of Health Services (Research).
Expressing her inability to provide specific information at the moment, she assured the House that she would acquire the necessary details shortly.
She however explained that the objective of setting up the MMDSL is to enhance drug procurement and supply management, ensuring continuous availability of medical supplies, maintenance of medical equipment for health facilities in Meghalaya.
“Standardising specifications, tender procedures, billing and payment systems, to achieve efficiency in drug distribution,” she said.