Shillong, Sept 22: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday informed that there are a total of 124 consultants appointed by the Government of Meghalaya for different departments or in specific projects.
Stating that a total of Rs 22.56 crore has been paid to all the consultants in this financial year, Sangma informed that currently 59 consultants have been currently appointed specifically for Externally Aided Projects (EAP).
The chief minister’s response was made in the House when a question was raised by TMC MLA Miani D Shira concerning the consultants appointed by the government.
Shira further sought clarity if out of the 124 consultants, 59 consultants are for EAP what about the remaining 65 consultants, if they are for general projects?
Sangma elaborated that the consultant who are technical experts are brought in for specific task. He further added that they are a contractual team of experts in their field and that they are required in two sections -Centrally Sponsored Schemes and in EAPs.
“In both of these categories, the consultants are mandated by the guidelines of the different departments in most cases. In a lot of the cases we have to use their expertise because we would like to move much faster and get their advice,” mentioned the chief minister.
Centrally-sponsored schemes like the smart City project, it is mandated that consultants have to be there similarly in the PMGSY it mandates to have consultants and various other schemes.
Sangma also informed the House that a project called Unity which the Prime Minister is giving certain amount to every states, Rs 132 crores has been sanctioned for Meghalaya and that we are the only 3 states in the whole country that has managed to do that within six-month time period. “This is all because we have the expert advice and are able to submit proposals on time and receive the funds on time,” explained Sangma.
Shira further asked if the amount paid for the consultants are the same or different, Sangma responded that they are selected through tendering process and whoever gives them the best quality at the best price are selected hence the rates differ.
Mawryngkneng MLA Heavingstone Kharpran, asked if any of these consultants are from the state or whether they are from outside the state.
“The selection is done in a very transparent manner. 26 are local consultants and the rest are at national level, large consultants who do large projects which require certain level of expertise and turnover. It is important to remember when these consultants come in they are locally hiring a large number of local people. So they are getting exposure to the expertise and become independent in nature so there’s a lot of capacity building taking place in the last five years. Local people are benefiting,” stated the chief minister.
He also informed that the cost of these consultants are already incorporated in the project cost itself, so there is no over and above cost to the state exchequer.
Meanwhile , leader of opposition, Mylliem MLA Ronnie V Lyngdoh lauded that local people are getting trained and hired, however the MLA expressed his concern if officers are also involved by the consultants when preparing the estimates of the project. “Because we can’t keep hiring consultants all the time. If we can empower our own officers then we can save a lot of money,” said Lyngdoh.
The chief minister informed that officers are involved and that without their involvement the project will never go through.
Furthermore , CM Conrad K Sangma explained that consultants are mandated because in three areas very high level of expertise is required.
Technical expertise, environmental and social compliances and world class procurement projects are required.
“To put up the cable car for Shilllong viewpoint, it is a highly technical work that needs to be done. We are working to put up, a glass extended bridge over Mawkdok, and research is going on. EAP agencies require us to do world class procurement projects, world class environmental social compliances and world class technical work. Hence in these circumstances we don’t always have the mandate,” added Sangma.
Congress MLA Saleng Sangma also suggested if the government can absorb engineering pass-out students in Meghalaya who are unemployed, to send them for training so that they can become world class technicians.
Responding to this Sangma said that the government always push for local engineers should be taken and in many cases it has been done, but that’s the mandate of agencies.