By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 1: The VPP chief, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has slammed the NPP-led MDA Government for giving political patronage to people who were defeated in the elections.
Addressing a public meeting at Lawbah in Mawsynram, Basaiawmoit said the government is spending more than Rs 2 lakh per month on a single political appointee which is not justified. He pointed out that there are around seven to eight chairmen, co-chairmen and vice chairman in one single board.
The government does not hesitate in appointing people even in the capacity of “assistant chairman” just to patronize the members of the coalition parties.
Giving a break-up of the expense, he said the government is providing a monthly honorarium to the political appointees in addition to monthly house rent of Rs 20,000, Rs 5,000 for electricity bills, Rs 8,500 for tea and snacks, 250 litres of petrol per month plus TA/DA which is equivalent to a Grade-I government officer.
“The same government, however, is unable to clear the salaries of the teachers and home guard volunteers who are helping in traffic management are getting their dues after a delay of five to six months. This government has failed to improve the school infrastructure in rural areas and there are no doctors and equipment in the health centres,” Basaiawmoit said.
The government does not have funds to repair or improve the roads and has been a failure in managing traffic due to shortage of manpower, he said, while adding, “This clearly reflects the wrong priority of the government.”
Referring to the recent notice sent by the Education Department to the principal of Government Girl’s Higher Secondary School, Jowai, after students of the school sang and danced to the VPP election song, Basaiawmoit said it was the “Adviser to the Government” who had asked the department to act against the principal.
“How can we hold the principal and teachers responsible when the students were enjoying the song?” the VPP chief questioned.