Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma on Monday accused the MDA government of lacking transparency, raising concerns over the implementation of various schemes and the state’s financial health.
Participating in the general discussion on the budget, Dr. Sangma pointed to the development gaps caused by the government’s alleged opacity. He cited Rongjeng MLA’s remarks, where the ruling party legislator admitted to being unaware of several schemes being implemented. “If a member from the ruling bench does not know, then you can imagine the pathetic state of scheme implementation. This allows ample space for misappropriation and corruption,” Dr. Sangma said.
He emphasized the need for social auditing as mandated by an Act passed in the House, arguing that it is high time the government adheres to its provisions for greater public good. “Every fund from the public exchequer must be spent for public welfare, ensuring transparency. If people are deprived of transparency, how can we expect effective implementation on the ground?” he asked.
Dr. Sangma claimed that in several districts, projects were not executed as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), leading to compromised work quality and wastage of public funds. He warned that a lack of transparency fosters suspicion and raises questions about governance, even if no wrongdoing exists.
Criticizing the state’s financial standing, he pointed out that Meghalaya ranks the fifth lowest among states and union territories in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). “When we talk about growth, it must be looked at from a national perspective. We must set our own benchmark rather than blindly following others,” he asserted.
Referring to the budget projections, he said that while the total expenditure is pegged at Rs 30,003 crore—comprising Rs 20,556 crore in revenue expenditure and Rs 9,447 crore in capital expenditure—the reality may be different. “It looks good on paper, but a deeper look into the budget will reveal the actual situation,” he said, questioning the distribution of funds between state sector plans and centrally sponsored schemes.
Dr. Sangma also highlighted the role of external funding agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), stating that projects under the Meghalayan Integrated Transport Project (MITP) and similar initiatives were conceived by the previous regime. He expressed concerns over excessive spending on consultants for project implementation, stressing that there are financial limits for consultancy expenditures, which, according to him, the present government has ignored.
“This government has lost sight of financial ethics and discipline. We see huge amounts being allocated under different demands, particularly economic services. Due to time constraints, we could not move cut motions to highlight unnecessary expenditures. If such spending continues unchecked, it will become the norm,” he warned.
Dr. Sangma also raised concerns about the state’s fiscal deficit, which, despite being within the permissible limit of 3.5 per cent, has been on a precarious path due to growing debt. “Look at the debt structure. The loans taken will have to be serviced for the next five years along with interest repayment. To sustain this, more borrowing is inevitable,” he said, likening the situation to financially distressed corporate houses that collapsed due to unregulated spending.
On the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), he alleged a compromise in quality. “Pipes in Garo Hills are not laid underground as per DPR specifications. Where has the money gone? Exposed GI pipes are prone to theft,” he said.
Regarding the MITP, he pointed out that while the project includes upgrading state highways and improving access to schools and markets, there is little clarity on efforts to bridge public transportation gaps. “The component must be clearly defined in budget projections,” he insisted.
Dr. Sangma further flagged delays in central schemes due to non-submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs), citing reports that pending UCs have hindered projects like engineering colleges. “The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report shows how many UCs have been pending for years,” he said.
He also questioned the financial health of Meghalaya’s power sector, stating that even the power transmission company, which should be generating revenue, has been incurring losses. “The interest burden on the power sector has doubled since 2017-18, when it stood at around Rs 150 crore. This does not even include the principal repayment,” he noted, urging the government to conduct a complete review of the power sector.
Calling for an urgent new approach to agriculture and horticulture, he stressed the need for better implementation of programmes. “There are plenty of solutions that need to be identified. The government must act now,” he concluded.
