Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has defended the ongoing international travel of state politicians and senior bureaucrats, asserting that these visits were cleared long before the federal government issued calls for national austerity. Sangma explained that international programs require months of preparation, meaning many bookings and expenditures were finalized before Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested states to curb non-essential spending.
Several high-profile officials are currently abroad, including Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, and top bureaucrats such as Chief Secretary Shakeel P. Ahammed, Vijay Kumar, and C.V.D. Diengdoh. The Chief Minister confirmed that he has halted all new travel proposals submitted after the federal announcement to ensure the state aligns with national fiscal directives.
The trips have sparked public frustration, with critics and opposition parties questioning the utility and transparency of such missions. Many citizens view the travel as an unnecessary luxury during a period of high inflation and rising living costs. While the government maintains these visits are essential for exposure to international best practices, activists are calling for a detailed cost-benefit analysis of the programs.
Meanwhile, the state government remains firm on its fuel tax policy. Despite rising prices that see petrol at Rs 102.56 per litre and diesel at Rs 94.08 per litre in Shillong, Sangma rejected calls to lower state taxes. He argued that reducing these levies would negatively impact the state's available resources, claiming that current prices remain competitive compared to other regions.
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