Editor,
The recent cabinet reshuffle in Meghalaya has been hailed by the government as a mid-term “reset.” But let us strip away the rhetoric: this reshuffle is not about renewal, it is about regression. It is not about governance, it is about power. It is not a reset, it is a calculated gambit—where democracy bends to dynasty and matriliny is reduced to hollow folklore.
Consider the facts. For the first time in years, Meghalaya now has no women in the cabinet. Not one. In a state that flaunts its matrilineal identity to the world, the exclusion is deafening. Out of 60 MLAs, only four are women—barely 6%, well below the already shameful national average of 9%. By removing Ampareen Lyngdoh, the lone woman minister, the government has silenced women’s voices at the very moment when Meghalaya faces a surge in crimes against women and children, rising domestic violence, and a worsening drug crisis. When the crisis is most acute, the cabinet has chosen to erase those most affected from the table of power.
But the betrayal does not stop with gender. Three seats in the cabinet now belong to a single family—the Dhar dynasty—which controls 25% of the council of ministers. This is not just unusual, it is unprecedented anywhere in the country, perhaps the world. The Dhar clan already dominates the state’s road and infrastructure contracts; now, with cabinet power in hand, they are poised to consolidate business and governance into a single dynasty-run enterprise. What we are witnessing is not representative democracy but crony capitalism dressed up as coalition politics. This is a corporate takeover of government by what many already call the “Dhar Company.”
So let us be clear: this reshuffle is not about injecting momentum into governance. It is about entrenching dynasty and deepening monopoly. It excludes half the population while enriching a few. While families struggle to put food on the table, fight addiction in their homes, and protect their daughters from violence, the government has chosen to protect only dynasties and contracts.
Meghalaya deserves better than this dangerous fusion of patriarchy, dynasty, and crony capitalism. A state that prides itself on matriliny cannot silence women. A democracy cannot afford to hand over a quarter of its cabinet to one family. And a people struggling with unemployment, addiction, and insecurity cannot survive under a government that puts family before fairness, and contracts before citizens.
This reshuffle will not be remembered as renewal—it will be remembered as betrayal. Meghalaya deserves leaders, not landlords of power.
Yours etc., ,
Khlur Basan,
Shillong – 5
Concerns Over Quality of MPSC SDO/Assistant Engineer Examination
Editor,
Recently, the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted a written examination for recruitment to the post of Sub-Divisional Officer/Assistant Engineer in the Public Health Engineering and Public Works Departments. However, the examination has raised serious concerns among candidates and stakeholders alike regarding its quality and fairness.
Several issues have come to light. Firstly, one of the questions was found to be repeated twice in the same paper, reflecting a lack of proper scrutiny in question-setting. Moreover, the standard of the questions was observed to be below the expected level for such a competitive examination. Candidates reported that no numerical or problem-solving questions were included (not to forget that MPSC recently published a notification that for such examinations, candidates are allowed to bring scientific calculators), thereby failing to assess the analytical skills and technical proficiency that are crucial for engineers in these departments.
Adding to these concerns, certain questions were reportedly found to be outside the prescribed syllabus (Docks and Harbor Engineering, Airport Engineering, etc.), further undermining the credibility of the test. For an examination meant to recruit officers to key technical positions, such shortcomings raise doubts about the evaluation process and its ability to identify deserving candidates. It can also be viewed that multiple questions were asked from the tiniest portion of the syllabus (3 questions just on metacentric height, 5 questions on super-elevation) in spite of having ample options to select or make questions out of. Additionally, one of the questions was found to be wrong wherein, correct answer was not given in the options (Q.133 of Series I – The value of Reynold’s number for Laminar flow through soil is (correct answer should be Less Than 1). But the given options were (a. less than 20000, b. less than 2000, c. less than 200, d. less than 20)
If such a trend continues, there is a genuine risk that the departments may fail to recruit engineers of the highest calibre. The PHE and PWD deal with critical infrastructure, water supply, and public works that directly affect the lives of citizens. Without a fair and rigorous selection process, the departments may not be able to attract and appoint the kind of competent engineers needed to ensure quality service delivery and long-term development.
In light of these issues, there is an urgent demand for the MPSC to initiate an expert review of the examination. Senior officers from the PHE and PWD, along with respected academicians, should be involved in assessing the quality and relevance of the question paper. If lapses are confirmed, the Commission must consider re-conducting the examination with improved standards that truly reflect the knowledge and capabilities required for the posts.
Ensuring transparency and fairness in recruitment is vital to uphold public confidence in the system. Aspiring engineers deserve to be tested through a rigorous, fair, and meaningful examination that matches the high responsibilities of the post.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Mbose why this!!
Editor,
Last month the personal Interview for the posts of Lower Divisional Assistant -cum-Computer Operator scheduled to be held on the 25th, 26th and 27th of August 2025, was suddenly postponed without giving any specific reasons. Till date there’s no news as to when the same will be held. Why this delay? Cannot MBOSE conduct the interview for only 100+ candidates? Why keep the candidates in a dillema or is there no qualified interviewer(s). Whatever the case, let’s hope this delay will not give space for manipulation.
Yours etc.,
R.G. Phankon,
Via email
