Shillong, Aug. 26: Chief minister Mukul Sangma today laid the foundation stone for a permanent building for the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) in Lachumiere, as he promised transparency in appointments to various government posts.

The MPSC is currently functioning from the Horseshoe building in Lachumiere here without proper infrastructure.

The chief minister said for the past 40 years, the MPSC has been functioning without a permanent building and the government wanted the commission to be more efficient.

The total cost of the project will be Rs 6.4 crore and the building will be completed within a few years on the 16,000 square feet land.

“The MPSC building is a boon for candidates, who otherwise have to write their examinations in schools and colleges in the city because of the lack of space in the existing temporary building,” he said.

According to the chief minister, because of the absence of a permanent building, the MPSC has to schedule examinations only during holidays in the other schools or colleges.

With the completion of the new MPSC building and with better infrastructure, other government departments can also arrange to conduct their examinations in the new building, even during working days.

The government also has plans to open MPSC cells at Tura in West Garo Hills, Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills and Jowai in Jaintia Hills.

In the past, the MPSC was criticised for the manner in which it functioned, with critics alleging that there was nepotism and partiality in the appointments to various government posts.

However, the chief minister today promised that quality candidates would be selected by the MPSC and the procedure of selection would be transparent.