By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 7: The influential Dhar family’s grip over the NPP-led MDA Government has further strengthened with Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare, nephew of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, likely to be appointed as Chairman of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Sniawbhalang Dhar heads the Urban Affairs Department.
The appointment of Damanbait Lamare would therefore mean that the Urban Affairs sector will be fully under the control of the Dhar family, since MUDA functions under this department.
Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla’s elder sister is married to Sniawbhalang Dhar, while Community and Rural Development Minister Sosthenes Sohtun is known to be a close aide of the Dhar family. The new inductees in the Cabinet further cement Dhar family’s position in Meghalaya politics.
Family influence in the NPP-led MDA Government is not new. There are as many as six NPP MLAs related to or associated to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Conrad’s uncle, Thomas A. Sangma, who represents North Tura constituency, is the Speaker of the Assembly.
His brother-in-law and Mahendraganj MLA, Sanjay Sangma, serves as Chairman of Meghalaya Infratech and Innovations Corporation Ltd.
The Chief Minister’s cousin and Salmanpara MLA, Ian Botham Sangma, is Adviser to the Forest and Environment Department.
Conrad’s wife, Mehtab Chandee Sangma is an MLA from Gambegre. Additionally, former MLA and Conrad’s elder sibling, James PK Sangma, is the Chairman of the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
In a related development, former Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal is likely to be appointed as Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB).
On Tuesday, the government issued a notification appointing former Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh as Adviser to the Social Welfare Department, with perks and facilities under Category “A”, as per the Finance (AF) Office Memorandum dated August 17, 2023.
Former Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla has been appointed as Adviser to the Mining and Geology Department, with Category “A” benefits, as per a notification issued on Monday.
A notification for the appointment of former Cabinet Minister Shakliar Warjri as Chairman of the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) was also issued on Tuesday.
However, the notification for Mendipathar NPP MLA Marthon J. Sangma’s appointment as Chairman of the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is still awaited.
Further, former Education Minister, Rakkam A. Sangma is likely to be appointed as the chairman of the Meghalaya Economic Development Council (MEDC).
