By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 17: The engagement of a host of consultants by the Meghalaya government faced sharp scrutiny in the Assembly during Question Hour on Tuesday, with members from both Treasury and Opposition benches demanding details on expenditure, selection, performance monitoring, and accountability.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma informed the House that the government has engaged 36 individual consultants and 59 consultancy firms across departments. Annual remuneration for individual consultants in 2024–25 totals Rs 4.35 crore.
In response to a supplementary question from VPP’s Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang, Sangma revealed that a total of Rs 131.73 crore has been paid to the 59 firms.
Of this, Rs 116 crore (about 87%) came from administrative expenditure under Externally Aided Projects (EAPs), Rs 10.75 crore from state resources, and Rs 5.67 crore from central funds.
Sangma clarified that consultancy firms receive fees tied to contractual deliverables, not salaries, and engagements are project-specific—ending upon project completion.
Appointments for firms typically involve competitive tendering, while individuals are selected via interviews, exams, or presentations.
Responding to UDP MLA Paul Lyngdoh on conflict-of-interest safeguards, the CM noted such clauses are standard in contracts and promised a detailed reply after review.
Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma sought data on proposals prepared under EAPs and their success rate. Sangma agreed to table comprehensive details in the House.
Addressing concerns about whether government officials were incapable of handling such responsibilities, Chief Minister asserted that while officials are administratively competent, consultants provide specialised technical expertise in areas such as environmental and social impact assessments, procurement, contract supervision, agriculture, health, power and education. In many EAPs and centrally sponsored schemes, he stressed, engagement of consultants is a mandatory requirement.
He cited examples of the Smart City project, Sohra Tourism Project (DoNER-funded), and Unity Mall, where consultants aided DPR preparation, approvals, and fund sanctions, and pointed out that Meghalaya is implementing EAPs worth over Rs 12,000 crore.
Of the 36 individual consultants, 19 (52%) are local youth, including MBAs, retired officials, and experts. Agencies like MBDA and MBMA employ nearly 1,500 locals under such projects, the CM stated.
Payments are milestone-based, linked to deliverables like DPRs and assessments, with final authority resting with government officials. Sangma stressed that consultants support implementation, but policy and responsibility remain governmental.
