Meghalaya: KHADC To Introduce Recruitment Policy, MoU With CRISP To Be Signed

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) will soon introduce a recruitment policy, announced Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem. He revealed that the council is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the agency CRISP to formulate the policy.

Syiem informed that the KHADC’s Winter Session, held on December 19 and 20, 2024, concluded with discussions on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report. Most members suggested the formation of a Public Accounts Committee (PAC). "The Winter Session...ended with a discussion on the CAG Report and most of the members suggested that the council should have a Public Accounts Committee," Syiem stated.

The CEM also mentioned that the Executive Committee would follow the observations made by the CAG regarding the recruitment policy. To this end, a PAC was constituted on the final day of the session, with Leader of Opposition Titostarwell Chyne appointed as its chairman. Other members include Bindo M Lanong, Lambor Malngiang, Martle Mukhim, PN Syiem, Bajop Pyngrope, and the Secretary of the Legislative Wing of the KHADC, who will serve as the member secretary. Syiem added that the PAC will thoroughly review the CAG's findings.

Syiem acknowledged that previous Executive Committees had attempted to implement a recruitment policy but had not succeeded, particularly during the tenures of Late Teinwell Dkhar and Titosstarwell Chyne. He assured, however, that the current committee, under his leadership, is collaborating with the state government to resolve the matter. "Soon we will sign an MoU with one agency which will help us to make rules on various matters, especially one on Recruitment Policy," he said. The MoU is expected to be signed within the next week.

The CEM also pointed out that since the KHADC does not currently have a recruitment policy, it is difficult to assess whether the appointments made in previous years were correct or not. He emphasized that the practice of making appointments in the KHADC has been in place for the last 72 years and was nothing new. "However, we will try to reform the working of the district councils as years pass on," he added.

The CAG Report for the year ending March 31, 2019, highlighted irregularities in the appointments and promotions within the KHADC. The report, presented during the winter session, noted that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Service Rules, 1961, govern the appointment and promotion of KHADC staff. Rule 3 explicitly requires that "recruitment to all classes of services and staff shall be made after due advertisement and by competitive examination or on the basis of an oral examination and interview."

However, the CAG’s scrutiny revealed that 82 staff members were recruited to various posts during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 without any advertisements. The appointments were made based solely on the Executive Committee’s approval, bypassing competitive exams or interviews. Positions filled during 2017-2018 included chainman, peon, enforcement constable, lower division assistant, junior assistant account, and sub inspector tax, while the 2018-2019 recruitments included roles such as cleaner, chainman, process server, plantation chowkidars, chowkidars, peon, forest guard, enforcement constable, and several others across various pay scales. The CAG pointed out that these vacancies were not publicly advertised.

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