Mixed response to move on Cabinet meeting venues in Meghalaya

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: For the first time, the Meghalaya Cabinet meeting will be held outside the State capital Shillong. This meeting, scheduled to be held at Tura town, is the brainchild of the State Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.

While the plan to routinely hold Cabinet meetings in each and every district has been appreciated by many, there are a few who feel that it is more of a political ploy. The Sentinel solicited the views of the ministers, especially when there is a perception that it would unnecessary cause a burden to the State exchequer.

State Minister of Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar said that this is a landmark move because the people of the State will realize that we have a government that is close to the people. On the notion that it will have a burden on the State exchequer when elaborate arrangements have to be made for the ministers and other top officials, Dhar candidly stated, “When we go, we will talk about policies that will benefit the State financially. It’s no big deal to spend Rs 10 lakh when we can get business done to the tune of Rs 10 crore.”

Minister of Revenue Kyrmen Shylla held similar views but defined it in his own narratives. “Don’t see this (Cabinet meet in other districts) as a cosmetic exercise to get closer to the people. It is also an opportunity for ministers to have review meetings with the officials who operate at ground zero.”

Minister of Urban Affairs Hamlet Dohling felt that for him and his department, such Cabinet meetings will succeed.

However, Minister of the Department of PHE Samlin Malngiang is of the view that holding of Cabinet meetings outside Shillong is not in sync with the actual thought of getting closer to the citizens. “The people will not be allowed to witness the Cabinet meeting. They will only learn through the media about any decision taken by the government”, Malngiang said, adding, “As it is, we have frequent review meetings to know about the ground work in each and every district.”

A couple of senior officials who spoke to this correspondent felt that the move, though laudable in terms of political narrative, yet it will have no impact on the day-to-day functioning of the government.

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