By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 27: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has strongly defended the ongoing foreign trips undertaken by several Meghalaya politicians and senior IAS officers, even as the Centre has urged all states to adopt austerity measures in response to the challenging global economic situation.
Sangma clarified that the foreign visits in question were politically approved and financially cleared well before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity.
He pointed out that such international programmes usually require 3–4 months of preparation, and many were already in the pipeline, with bookings made and expenditures incurred.
“Some of the teams are already outside the country because the entire process was completed much earlier. Political clearance was also given by the Centre,” the Chief Minister said.
The statement comes at a time when several high-profile figures from the state, including Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, and senior bureaucrats such as Chief Secretary Shakeel P. Ahammed, Vijay Kumar, and C.V.D. Diengdoh, are attending various programmes abroad.
Sangma, however, assured that the government has taken a firm stand on new proposals.
“I have personally put on hold every single trip that was proposed after the Prime Minister’s announcement. We have to follow the Centre’s direction in the larger interest of the nation,” he asserted.
Despite the CM’s clarification, the issue has triggered sharp criticism from the public. Many citizens have expressed disappointment and anger over what they see as open defiance of the austerity appeal.
While ordinary people continue to bear the burden of rising fuel prices, LPG costs, and inflation, the frequent foreign travels by ministers and top officials have been widely perceived as unnecessary luxuries.
Opposition parties and social activists have, time and again, questioned the real benefits these foreign trips bring to the state.
Critics argue that while exposure to international best practices can be useful in sectors like tourism, health, and agriculture, greater transparency is needed regarding the purpose, outcomes, and cost-benefit analysis of such visits.
The controversy has also highlighted a larger national debate on fiscal discipline.
With the Union government pushing for cost-cutting in non-essential areas, many are watching how state governments like Meghalaya balance official duties with public expectations of accountability and restraint.
MDA govt not to lower tax on fuel
Despite continuous hikes in fuel prices, the MDA government is in no mood to reduce the state tax, with the Chief Minister arguing that any move to decrease state taxes would affect resources.
Petrol is selling in Shillong at Rs 102. 56 per litre while diesel is priced at Rs 94.08.
The state government charges Rs 13.50 as tax for every single litre of petrol and Rs 9.50 on diesel.
Sangma said the prices of petrol and diesel in the state are already low compared to other states.
Stating that the state has to look after its own revenues and expenditures, Sangma acknowledged that a small state like Meghalaya has lesser sources of revenue.
“Therefore, it is a very difficult call for us,” he said.
