Despite losing the recent Assembly elections, NPP leader James Sangma got a post in the government that was equivalent to an MLA.
Sangma who is the elder brother of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was appointed as chairman of the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
Sangma lost the elections to Dadenggre seat to Rupa Marak of the Trinamool Congress.
The MDA government has appointed several MLAs of the ruling alliance as chairmen, co-chairmen and advisers of many boards and corporations.
The government is also appointing former legislators just because they belong to the NPP.
One of them is former Mylliem MLA Hamletson Dohling who was recently appointed as the adviser to the Chief Minister with perks and facilities under Category ‘A+’.
Under Category ‘A+’, a political appointee enjoys honorarium of Rs 20,000 per month, hospitality of Rs 8,500, house rent of Rs 20,000 per month, free medical benefit, requisition of vehicle of Rs 600 per day, electricity charges of Rs 5,000 per month, conveyance allowance against allotted car with 250 litres petrol per month and 4 litres of engine oil. The appointee in this category also gets Rs 2 lakh as one time assistance for house furnishing besides maintenance of furniture at Rs 40,000 per annum. Other facilities include one telephone in the office and another at the residence.
