SHILLONG: While the Opposition on Wednesday doubted the efficacy of the Integrated Basin Development Programme (IBDLP) being implemented at the cost of several crores of rupees, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma justified the initiative by saying the programme had provided an opportunity for various government departments to know the needs of the people.
During the question hour in the Assembly, the chief minister said expenditure incurred till date on salaries of employees appointed under the basin development was Rs 17.02 crore, while for consultants, it was Rs 9.67 crore.
In reply to a question by Donkupar Roy (UDP), the chief minister said the number of employees under IBDLP is 357 while there are 23 consultants.
To supplementary questions, the chief minister said the appointments were temporary and the basic concept of IBDLP was to create entrepreneurship.
He said after a term of one year, the employees should opt out to become entrepreneurs.
However, Sangma did not make it clear how many became entrepreneurs but said there were challenges ahead.
To a question by Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP), the chief minister said some government employees were appointed on deputation, but they draw salary from their parent department.
Raising a question, Jemino Mawthoh (UDP) said the project had cut into the resources of various departments and become a vehicle of wasteful expenditure.
However, the chief minister said IBDLP was not project specific, but with it, the government departments were able to know the interest of the people. The data made available will help in easy implementation of various programmes of the government, he said.
Sangma also said the studies of consultants would be able to tap resources and avail externally-aided projects.
He said IBDLP has acted as a support system for various line departments.
To a supplementary question, the chief minister said it was up to the parties which get the mandates of people to consider whether to continue with the programme or not.
To a question whether any assessment has been done, the chief minister said it was successful since some have become successful entrepreneurs.
However, Mawthoh still wanted to know whether it has achieved the desired objective in its implementation.
