‘MBDA subject to audit’ * ‘All 729 employees of MBDA are local people’
Shillong, Sep 11: Established in 2012, the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) has implemented multi-sectoral and innovative projects with its allocations going up over the years. The Authority has received a total of Rs 224 crore in the past three years, with Rs 182.30 crore allocated in 2024-25 alone.
The MBDA received Rs 24 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 17.7 crore in 2022-23, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly in his reply to a query raised by VPP legislator Adelbert Nongrum on Thursday.
Informing that MBDA is subject to audit by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, Sangma assured transparency and accountability in its operations.
The Chief Minister also clarified that MBMA is a not-for-profit organisation established under Section 8 of the Companies Act.
It was brought into being due to the requirements of external agencies like International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
He explained that the MBDA is designed to coordinate cross-sectoral developmental projects and innovative projects, and there is no limitation on the agency’s ability to implement projects, whether they are externally aided projects (EAPs) or centrally sponsored schemes (CSS).
Sangma said the MBDA’s structured and transparent recruitment process, which includes necessary qualifications and exams.
He stated that all 729 employees working under MBDA are local people, and the recruitment process is based on a professional HR policy.
The Chief Minister also justified the significance of an agency like MBDA to implement EAPs due to the increasing budgets of government departments every year.
“The projects which are specific to departments are continuing. Our budget has increased from 9,000 crore to 30,000 crore today. In every department, the budget has increased,” he said while further explaining the role of MBDA in coordination among multiple departments involved in a project.
To a query by VPP legislator Heavingstone Kharpran, the chief minister said projects to protect catchment areas for Shillong and Tura water supply are ongoing.
