Legislator quits chairmanship for accommodating failed politician

Shillong, Jul 31 (UNI) The Donkupar Roy-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government today came under severe criticism for largescale political appointments to accommodate failed politicians, even as United Democratic Party Legislator Ardent M Basiawmoit tendered his resignation from the post of Chairman of Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation.

''My conscience does not allow me to continue in the post of Chairman any longer,'' Mr Basaiawmoit said in a brief letter to the Chief Minister, adding that there was ''no ill feeling against you or your leadership'', while making this decision of not continuing in the post.

Mr Basaiawmoit, who handed the letter to Dr Roy, told UNI over the phone that he had been raising the issue of excessive appointments of chairmen, co-chairmen, vice-chairmen and deputy chairmen in various boards and corporations at the party level.

''I have reminded the Chief Minister that both the NCP and UDP, during the recently held Assembly election have severely criticised the previous Congress-led government for using various Boards and Corporation as rehabilitation centres for failed politicians and party functionaries at the cost of State exchequer,'' he said.

Unfortunately, in the past few months since it assumed power, the NCP-backed MPA seemed to be falling back on its words and commitment, as they went on appointing as many as 100 party functionaries in various posts.

According to a moderate estimate, the Government on an average spends at least Rs 40,000 per month on each such post, which means for the upkeep of 100 posts, the state will have to cough up Rs 40 lakh per month.

''It's a sheer wastage of money. The government can spend for better health and educational purpose in our remote areas,'' the former president of the influential youth organisation, Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Peoples (FKJGP), stated.

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