Shillong, Mar 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday informed the Assembly that there is a huge deficit of IAS officers in the state government and is working with nearly half of its assigned IAS strength. He said this is the main reason for the state government to oppose the Amendment to IAS cadre rules communicated by the DoPT because it will directly affect the functioning of the State.

Replying to a question raised by suspended Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh, the Chief Minister said Meghalaya has only 41 IAS officers against the total sanctioned strength of 77, of which 23 are Direct Recruits and 18 promoters, and sending these officers on Central Deputations will increase the deficit and affect the functioning of the State.

The Chief Minister also stated that the State Government has written to the Union Government in 2019 urging to consider a separate cadre for Meghalaya and hoped that the State will see more IAS cadre in the future.

He further stated that the State Government is also working to produce more IAS from Meghalaya by introducing coaching programs for aspiring candidates.