SHILLONG, Sep 8: The state TMC on Sunday said it is time for Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to stop using Meghalaya’s resources as his playground and start serving the people.
The party was reacting to the appointment of the chief minister’s sister, Agatha Sangma as the chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR).
“People should discuss such political appointments. The government has been doing it left and right. What is of serious concern is the misuse of the public resources over and above what is being provided as perks and facilities,” Leader of the Opposition and TMC parliamentary party leader, Mukul Sangma said.
He drew attention to the perks and facilities being provided to various officers and chairpersons and the number of vehicles being purchased by the government departments and undertakings with money from the exchequer.
“They are using different instruments to camouflage extravagant expenditure from the scarce resources of the government and this is a matter of concern,” he said.
Stating that the government has to be taken head-on and held accountable, Sangma said, “There are many programmes funded by externally-aided projects. Go after every project and see how many vehicles have been bought by using these resources. If the same officer is using the vehicle allotted by the department, how does he have another vehicle as an entitlement?”
“Is it not misuse of public property? The money should be refunded. This is how various positions are being given through political appointment,” he added.
TMC youth leader Richard Marak said, “Not at all surprised! Conrad Sangma’s government has once again brazenly displayed its disregard for accountability and transparency with the appointment of his younger sister, Agatha Sangma as chairperson of the SCPCR.”
“This shameless act of nepotism is just the tip of the iceberg, the latest in a litany of abuses of power by the Chief Minister. From appointing a slew of advisors to doling out plum posts to political cronies and yes-men, Conrad Sangma has consistently prioritised political expediency over the welfare of the people,” he added.
Marak further said: “It’s clear he’s pulling the strings from behind the scenes, leaving the people of Meghalaya to foot the bill. The question is, what qualifies Agatha Sangma to head a critical institution like the Child Rights Commission? Her only apparent qualification seems to be her family connection.”
“This is a blatant misuse of power and a betrayal of public trust. The people of Meghalaya deserve better than a government that blatantly prioritises family interests over their welfare. It’s time for Conrad Sangma to stop exploiting the state’s resources as his playground and start serving the people,” he said.
The KHNAM also criticised Agatha Sangma’s appointment as the MSCPCR chairperson.
In a statement, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah called the move an “open display of political power” by the MDA government.
He accused the government of nepotism and said the general public has expressed concern and dissatisfaction.
Passah also expressed surprise that James Sangma is also the key person in this decision wherein he submitted a written proposal to the government.
“How can the public have any say in government decisions? We know that other political parties in the MDA will not object to such nepotism since they too have their share of political appointments,” he said.
The KHNAM leader argued that Agatha Sangma does not qualify for the appointment, citing a government notification that requires the chairperson to be a person of eminence who has done outstanding work for promoting child welfare.
Passah warned that such an appointment would jeopardise the welfare of children in the state.
