Lapang ‘rehabilitates’ leaders

Donkupar and other MLAs accommodated in Planning Board

D.D. Lapang Shillong, May 22 : The Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government has begun accommodating politicians, former MLAs and sitting legislators to various boards and corporations with the approval of Governor R.S. Mooshahary. According to the recent notification, former chief minister and UDP legislator Donkupar Roy will be the chairman of State Planning Board with the rank of chief minister, UDP legislator Metbah Lyngdoh, and Congress legislator Augustine Marak were appointed co-chairmen of the State Planning Board. Former MLAs S.C. Marak from the Congress and S.D. Khongwir from the UDP were also appointed co-chairmen of the State Planning Board. The rank and the status of the co-chairman are that of a cabinet minister. The government is contemplating the appointment of defeated politicians and businessmen as members of the board. The MUA government also appointed former chief minister and UDP legislature party leader J.D. Rymbai as the chairman of the Meghalaya Economic Development Council on a par with the rank of the chief minister. Congress legislator Founder Cajee was appointed the vice-chairman of the board with the status of a cabinet minister. Senior Congress MLA and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Friday Lyngdoh was appointed political adviser to the chief minister, with the rank of a deputy chief minister. After the HSPDP had extended support to the MUA government, party president H.S. Lyngdoh was appointed the chairman of State Development Reforms Commission with a cabinet minister’s rank, and legislator Advisor Pariong was appointed parliamentary secretary. Earlier, 13 parliamentary secretaries were appointed by chief minister D.D. Lapang. There was criticism in the past from various quarters over the political appointments as it had brought an additional burden on the state exchequer. The boards and corporations are also seen as the rehabilitation centres of MLAs who cannot be accommodated in the ministry. Lapang, however, played down the appointment of chairman, co-chairman and others by saying that to develop the state, “We need additional services.” Speaking to reporters this evening, Lapang said the needs of the state were unlimited and to meet the needs, the services of experienced persons were required. “There is no harm in getting additional manpower and even the Opposition members can also be given the responsibilities,” Lapang said. He added that if the appointees failed to fulfil the duties assigned to them, they would be replaced. However, the chief minister said he would try to minimise the political appointments.