A total of 124 consultants were appointed by the state government for different departments and specific projects, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, informed the house today.
Replying to a question raised by Ampati MLA, Miani D Shira the Chief Minister informed that total amount paid to all the consultants is Rs 22.56 crores.
In a reply to a supplementary query the Chief Minister said 59 consultants are specifically meant for Externally Aided Projects (EAP). Consultants are required in centrally sponsored schemes of the Government of Indian and EAPs, he said.
“In both of these categories, the consultants are mandated by the guidelines of the different departments in most cases,” he added.
According to the Chief Minister, the consultants are selected through tendering process, which is transparent.
Sangma said that the consultants who are technical experts are brought in for specific task like the Smart City project and the PMGSY and various other schemes.
He also informed the house that Meghalaya has been chosen as one of the states for a Unity Mall, a project for which the centre is allocating specific funds amounting to Rs 132 crores.
He said Meghalaya is among just three states in the country that achieved this milestone within a six-month timeframe and attributed it to expert guidance for submitting the proposal promptly, ensuring timely fund allocation.
On Mawryngkneng MLA Heavingstone Kharpran’s question on the number of consultants appointed that belonged to the State, the Chief Minister informed, “26 have been appointed while the rest are at the national level, who do large projects which require certain level of expertise and turnover.”
He said when the consultants come in, local people are also hired and therefore, they also get the exposure to the expertise and become independent. Similarly, officers of concerned departments are also involved in the projects along with the consultants.
The Chief Minister also informed that consultants from outside the state have been engaged for the cable car project at the Shillong viewpoint and glass extended bridge over Mawkdok.
Congress MLA Saleng Sangma suggested the government to absorb engineering passed out students from the state and send them for training for them to become world class technicians.
