SHILLONG, FEB 17: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday informed the Meghalaya Assembly that the state government has appointed 36 individual consultants and 59 consultancy firms to support various development programmes.
He stated that the total annual expenditure on monthly remuneration for individual consultants stands at ₹4.35 crore for the financial year 2024–25. Clarifying the payment structure, the Chief Minister said consultancy firms are not paid fixed salaries but receive fees linked to specific contractual deliverables. “If they fail to deliver, they will not get paid,” he said.
Replying to a supplementary query raised by VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng, Heaving Stone Kharpran, Sangma said that 19 out of the 36 individual consultants—around 52 per cent—are local professionals with qualifications in management, agriculture, and environmental sciences.
“As we move along, we ensure our people’s capacity is built up to take on responsibilities that require global expertise,” he said.
The Chief Minister explained that most consultants are engaged on a project-to-project basis for specialised assignments such as preparing detailed project reports (DPRs), ensuring environmental and social safeguards, and managing procurement processes mandated by institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Clarifying concerns over administrative authority, Sangma asserted that the appointment of consultants does not dilute the powers of government officials. “The powers given to government officials cannot be taken away. The agency comes just to support the system. The primary role is to support the system, not to interfere with the system,” he said.
On funding, he informed the House that Meghalaya has mobilised approximately ₹12,000 crore under externally aided projects (EAPs), making it the highest among small states and comparable to larger ones.
“There are lots of work involved. You need to have the capacity to absorb the funds. Meghalaya has been able to present itself and get the funds,” he said, citing initiatives such as the ₹200 crore Sohra project, the Smart City Mission, and Unity Mall, where the state was among the first to submit proposals and secure approvals.
Responding to a query by UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh, the Chief Minister said conflict-of-interest clauses should be in place to prevent consultants from working for firms bidding in departments where they are providing advisory services.
“It is a natural process, it should be there and should be done,” he said, adding that he would revert with detailed information.
The total payment to consultancy firms amounts to ₹131 crore, of which ₹116 crore falls under administrative expenditure permissible under EAP norms. So far, the state has spent ₹10 crore.
“Consultants are appointed on a project-to-project basis. Their service is over when the project is over,” Sangma added.
