Shillong, August 25: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday rejected allegations raised by Voice of the People Party (VPP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit through a 10-point charter, defending the Government’s record on recruitment, employment generation, land protection, payment of muster-roll workers and prevention of illegal influx.
Responding to the issues during the second day of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly’s Autumn Session, Sangma said the Government had undertaken several reforms to make recruitment more transparent while also creating livelihood opportunities and strengthening mechanisms to protect the State’s land and borders.
Recruitment Reforms
On recruitment, Sangma said the independence of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) is constitutionally protected under Articles 316 and 317 of the Constitution and that its chairman and members cannot be removed arbitrarily or subjected to political interference.
He said the Government had introduced several reforms based on recommendations of a committee headed by former UPSC chairman Professor David R. Syiemlieh.
These include:
- Advance publication of syllabi;
- Publication of the candidate-to-vacancy ratio;
- Greater clarity on selection procedures;
- Digitisation of applications;
- Use of OMR sheets; and
- Publication of examination marks.
The Government is also preparing a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure for District Selection Committees to establish uniform, transparent and legally sound recruitment practices across districts, the Chief Minister said.
He added that recruitment should ordinarily be completed within six months, while proficiency in the relevant local language would remain a mandatory qualifying requirement.
Sangma also indicated that interviews for certain categories of posts could be removed to reduce discretion and strengthen merit-based selection.
He said 1,686 appointments had been made through District Selection Committees during the past three years, apart from recruitment conducted through the Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board.
Ad Hoc Appointments and Service Extensions
On regularisation of ad hoc employees, Sangma said appointments made without advertisement or the prescribed selection process are technically irregular.
He said the Supreme Court had permitted the Government to regularise eligible employees appointed before December 2007, but the same benefit could not automatically be extended to appointments made after that date.
Regarding extensions of service after retirement, the Chief Minister said such extensions are granted only in rare circumstances and for limited periods, particularly where legislation requires specialised knowledge and extensive professional experience.
Muster-Roll Workers
On payment of muster-roll workers, Sangma said timely disbursement had been a priority of the Government since it assumed office in 2018.
While acknowledging that occasional administrative delays could occur, he assured the Assembly that such cases would be addressed promptly.
Workers facing payment-related problems can also register their grievances through the CM Connect helpline at 1971, he said.
Government Claims 3.6 Lakh Livelihood Opportunities
Sangma also defended the Government’s employment and livelihood record, claiming that more than 3.6 lakh livelihood opportunities had been created across various sectors since 2019.
Of these, around 50,000 wage and self-employment opportunities were created during the past three years, he said.
He highlighted Government support for farmers, women’s self-help groups, musicians, homestay operators, tourism entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of various agricultural programmes.
“These beneficiaries are not outsiders. They are the youth, farmers, women and entrepreneurs of our own State,” Sangma said, rejecting allegations that Government policies primarily benefited people from outside Meghalaya.
Land Protection
On the protection of tribal land, the Chief Minister rejected allegations that public land was being sold to corporate entities.
He said land required for public projects is acquired in accordance with the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971.
According to Sangma, willing landowners submit their prices, objections are obtained from relevant authorities and traditional heads, and the Deputy Commissioner conducts a public hearing and verifies whether the property is free from encumbrances.
The final decision, he said, is taken collectively by the Cabinet.
Sangma cited land acquired for the expansion of Shillong Airport and development of New Shillong Township as examples of projects undertaken through the prescribed procedure.
Measures Against Illegal Influx
Responding to concerns over illegal influx, Sangma said the Government had strengthened surveillance along Meghalaya’s international and interstate borders.
He cited the establishment of 18 anti-infiltration check posts and check gates, district special squads and 12 district task forces tasked with detecting Bangladeshi nationals.
Joint patrolling, naka checking and surprise inspections are being conducted by the State Police, magistrates, infiltration personnel and the Border Security Force (BSF), he said.
The Government has also installed electronic surveillance equipment and high-intensity lighting at strategic locations to strengthen border monitoring.
Sangma said Village Defence Parties are being strengthened through improved equipment, technology and financial assistance, particularly in sensitive border areas.
He added that districts bordering Assam had also been alerted to prevent illegal entry, especially following eviction drives carried out in the neighbouring State.
Overall, the Chief Minister maintained that the Government’s policies were aimed at balancing transparent recruitment, employment generation, protection of tribal land and stronger safeguards against illegal influx, while rejecting the VPP’s allegations of administrative failure.
