Shillong,Feb 21: There are nine advisors to the government and departments according to the latest list of 175 political appointees.
Out of this, as far as perks and allowances are concerned, six are in A+ category, one in A category and two others are getting honorarium.
While UDP MLA Lahkmen Rymbui (A+) is the chief advisor to Meghalaya government, advisor to the government is DD Lapang (A+).
Former MLA Hamletson Dohling (A+) is the advisor to the chief minister.
Subodh Menon (advisor to government, coordination and governance) and UDP leader Jemino Mawthoh (advisor to government, planning department) get honorarium.
MLA Banteidor Lyngdoh (A+) is advisor to Meghalaya on agriculture and his colleague and MLA Gavin Mylliem (A+) is advisor Meghalaya health advisory board.
UDP MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (A+) is advisor, social welfare department.
Former MLA HM Shangpliang is advisor to education department with category A.
Besides, the sitting MLAs who are heading various boards and corporations are under A+ category.
The list below
Conrad defends action
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has defended as many as 175 political appointees.
A question in this regard was listed during the Question Hour on Wednesday but the questioner Mukul Sangma was absent and hence it was not taken up.
However, when asked later, the chief minister said for 50 political appointees, the government is spending only 12 lakh per month.
“These are not very large financial implication”, he said.
The chief minister said the government is rationalising the benefits given to the different political appointees.
The political appointees are from the different political parties supporting the government.
According to Conrad, there is nothing wrong with political appointments as it is there in every government and it happens in every system.
He pointed that the previous government had also effected political appointments.
The chief minister said it is a way to involve the grassroot political leaders.
“What is important is for everybody to question the effectiveness of these appointments and the effectiveness of these boards. Appointment, yes we have to do and we are doing, we want to involve all the grassroots people, we want to involve all political leaders in the system. But as I said, I have been very particular that they should function”, the chief minister said.
Conrad said two weeks back, he held a meeting with the Employment Generation Council and asked them to submit two-three proposals to find out ways and means to generate employment.
“I also had meetings with other boards that are there like MIDC, MTDC and others, I am very active also in ensuring that they not only should be appointed but they should also be productive,” he added.
