SHILLONG, July 30: Continuing with its policy during the last term, the MDA 2.0 government has appointed a large number of politicians as advisors, chairmen and co-chairmen of different boards.
The political appointees are leaders of the constituent parties who could win their elections.
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and chairman of the Meghalaya State Health Advisory Board, Mayralborn Syiem defended such appointments and said governments prior to the MDA followed the same process.
He disagreed with the view that political appointments are a waste of government money but advised the appointees to either deliver or perish. “Whoever is appointed to such a post has a huge responsibility to perform,” he said.
Among the prominent leaders who have been given political appointments is Hamlet Dohling, who is the advisor to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. He lost the last polls from Mylliem.
UDP leader PT Sawkmie, who lost the election from the Mawlai seat, has been made the co-chairman of the Meghalaya State Development Reforms while BJP leader HM Shangpliang, who lost the Mawsynram seat, is the advisor to the Education Department.
