Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today defended the decision of his government to appoint various chairmen, co-chairmen, vice-chairmen etc stating that even in the previous governments, such political appointments were made.
Speaking to media persons here today, Sangma said that he has to accommodate leaders of political parties that are part of the MDA coalition and till date there are 175 political appointees in the various boards, corporations and commissions of the government and over Rs 12 lakh was spent every month to pay them.
“Even in the past they have appointed. It’s not just during our time. Political appointments are there in every government. So there’s nothing wrong with it,” Sangma said.
“We want to involve the grassroots people. We want to involve political leaders in the system. But I’ve been very particular that they should function also,” he added.
On the allegations that his government had randomly appointed members of political parties as the chairmen, co-chairmen, vice chairmen etc, Sangma said that he had rationalised the expenditures on the political appointees.
“You will also be happy to know that we have rationalised the benefits that are given to different political appointees,” he said adding that another 50 appointments were made recently after rationalising the perks and facilities.
“So just by rationalising to Rs 12 lakh a month 50 more political appointments were made. We rationalised the amount, rationalise the rates being given to them and I think that’s a very positive thing,” Sangma said.
Earlier today, the issue of political appointment was supposed to be discussed in the Assembly during question hour.
However, the matter could not be taken up as Trinamool Congress legislator Dr. Mukul Sangma who put the question was not present in the House during the question hour.
