SHILLONG, Sept 22: Meghalaya government has spent over
Rs 22.56 crore for 124 consultants appointed for different
departments, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said on Friday.
He was replying to a query raised by TMC MLA Miani D Shira
in the Assembly.
Sangma said 59 consultants have been appointed specifically
for externally aided projects (EAPs).
He said the consultants are technical experts, who are
brought into the system on a task basis. They are engaged
mainly for the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) and EAPs.
In both the categories, the consultants are mandated by the
guidelines, he added.
He said there are certain cases where the consultants are
also empanelled and they can be used by different
departments.
Citing the Unity Mall project as an example, the chief
minister said Rs 130 crore was sanctioned for Meghalaya.
“We are among the three states in the country that have
been able to do it within 6 months. This is because we were
able to get expert advice,” he said adding, “The government
of India and EAPs have mandated the services of the
consultants which are very highly technical.”
He said the payments made to the consultants are
incorporated within the project cost.
The chief minister said local people are benefiting as they are
engaged and trained by consultants. (PTI)
