HYC accuses State government for violating appointment guidelines

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, Nov 16: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Central Executive Council has accused the Meghalaya government of violating the guidelines set by the Ministry of Defense government of India in re-appointing Brig. W.J.B Sturgeon as the Director of Sainik Welfare Board Meghalaya (SWBM). The Council has also demanded the immediate removal of the retired brigadier.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Robertjune K Jahrin general secretary of the Council said, “95 percent of the funds for the functioning of the SWBM is sponsored by the central government and if the state government is not following the proper guidelines there might come a time when the central government might discontinue the funding.”

He added, “The reason for the demand is because as per the notification issued by Ministry of Defense government of India it has clearly stated that anyone above 60 years of age cannot continue his service as a Director or in any other capacity inside the Board across the country.”

The Council informed that Sturgeon has been appointed as the Director for a period of two years on a contractual basis even after he had attained his retirement last year.

In this connection he said, “As unemployment is at an all time high in the state there are many local indigenous people of the state who are also qualified to take over the post and therefore we are not satisfied with his re-appointment.”

He further said that as per their reliable sources the Kendriya Synmic Board Secretariat have suggested around 12 mes to replace the current person in question.

“The mes have been suggested to the state government however despite this the government still appointed this person, which indicates that there are strong link between the government and this person,” he said.

The Council has also requested the Chief Secretary K. S. Kropha, to honour the guidelines by immediately remove Brig. WJB Sturgeon as the Director and in the mean time initiate proceeding to appoint a full fledge director of the board as per the procedure laid down by the guidelines.