Shillong: Opposition members in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly grilled the state government on Friday over its food safety enforcement. They questioned the adequacy of current staffing and the timing of a Rs 2.37 crore supplementary budget demand. Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla defended the move, stating the funds are split between salaries for 13 newly appointed Food Safety Officers and contractual staff at the State Food Testing Laboratory.
VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit demanded transparency regarding the recruitment timeline. He questioned why provisions were not made during the original budget process if these roles were essential. The government appointed the 13 officers on December 9, 2025, following a recruitment drive by the Meghalaya Public Service Commission. The minister noted that because these appointments occurred after the 2026-27 budget estimates were submitted, no salary funds had been allocated.
TMC legislators Miani D. Shira and Mizanur R. Kazi joined the criticism. They pushed for the regularisation of 21 contractual technical personnel currently operating the state lab at Pasteur Hills. These workers handle chemical and microbiological testing, processing over 16,000 samples between 2021 and 2026. Basaiawmoit demanded clear documentation on these contractual arrangements, asking, "whether the expenditure was recurring or one-time and the total annual financial liability."
Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma warned against complacency. He cited food safety violations in high-end hotels and concerns regarding contaminated meals at ICDS and Anganwadi centres. Sangma urged the government to expand its scope beyond basic inspections. He called for better sensitisation for vendors and a comprehensive manpower plan to cover the state effectively. The government maintains that the extra funding is vital for operational continuity.
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