Consultants engaged to study on MBDA, BMA

Shillong, March 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today told the Assembly that several consultancies have been engaged to conduct studies in the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) and Basin Magement Agency (BMA).
The Chief Minister said, replying to a question asked by the Leader of the Opposition, Donkupar Roy, that the consultants were engaged to conduct studies in 400 villages in each districts of the State. Giving details of some of the studies, he said, the consultants conduct researches on poverty-gender alysis, land tenure-livelihood, use of traditiol plants, traditiol usage of plants and in other such areas.
The Chief Minister said that these reports from the studies have been used during implementation of programmes such as Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project.
He said Megha-LAMP endeavours to ensure linkages for sustaible livelihood. The programme’s objective is also to do away with middle men so that villagers get direct access to markets and get larger profits for their produces.
Dr Sangma said, studies and necessary documentary records are necessary for various programmes to source funds from exterlly aided projects, for providing knowledge services to government departments implementing various missions under Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme. He, therefore said, the studies of the consultants would go a long way for providing a wealth of information for future projects.
Dr Sangma also informed the House that the consultants have been engaged over the last five years at a total cost of Rs 6.91 crore and most of these agencies are public sector institutions and some of them have done work on pro bono basis.