STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday stated that the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are still relevant in the State and the region.
The Chief Mimister made this statement during the 'Outreach and Familiarization programme' for local bodies of Meghalaya and the other North-Eastern States. The programme was organized by the 'Parliamentary Research & Training Institute of Democracies' (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat and the District Council Affairs, Government of Meghalaya.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma expressed his gratitude to the Lok Sabha Speaker for holding the programme in Shillong. "We are certain that under your guidance, we will be able to add value to the functions of the District Councils and local bodies in our region," he added.
On the importance of the ADCs, the Chief Minister said, "Meghalaya has three major tribes; and we have three District Councils. The importance of the District Councils remain in its ability to protect the tribes of the North East. Therefore, we must make an effort to recognize its role, take it forward, uplift it and protect their traditions and cultures.
"Our Constitutional fathers carved out the 'Sixth Scheduled Areas' to safeguard the interests of tribals and conservation of age-old traditional practices. The ADCs are tribal-oriented, formed and recognised with the sole objective to uplift and protect the tribals, their varied cultures, traditions, customs, dialects, faith, among other issues pertaining to the tribals. Hence, the ADCs are an integral part of governance in Meghalaya".
On the relevance of District Councils today, the Chief Minister stated, "Many individuals have questioned as to whether the District Council has failed; or whether the purpose of its existence is irrelevant; or whether it is performing its objective.
"Individuals draw their conclusions seeing things on the surface, seeing the management and functioning of the District Council; but, I would like to say that the purpose of setting up the District Councils has been accomplished. The ADCs have managed to protect the identity of the tribal population; and, I believe it will continue to do so also in the coming years. We must strengthen them."
Referring to various problems faced by the ADCs, he said that the most important challenge the district councils face is that of fund crunch. Quoting Article 280, he said that the provision for funding are included for the Panchayati Raj, Municipal bodies. However, the district councils are not included.
"The biggest hurdles that the District Councils are facing today is with the issue of funds and funding. In Article 280, the Panchayati Raj, and the Municipality Board has provisions for funding; but, the District Councils do not receive the funds through the Finance Commission."
Stating the example of GHADC (Garo Hills Autonomous District Council), the Chief Minister stressed, "Expenditure incurred by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council is more than the revenue it generates. This is because the ADCs do not get much support from the Government of India and the Finance Commission. Because of this, the District Councils appear to be failing. And, without financial inclusion and support from the relevant bodies, the ADCs's performances will be hampered."
Touching on the absence of the 'Anti Defection Law' or the Tenth Schedule, the Chief Minister said, "Because of the absence of the Tenth Schedule or the Anti Defection Law in the District Councils, there is political instability. There is a lot of movement and instability in grassroot politics, therefore, it is very important that the provision is included for the ADCs."
On the 'Sixth Schedule Amendment Bill', the Chief Minister stated, "I am happy that we were given the chance to submit our views and opinions on the 'Sixth Schedule Amendment Bill', sent through the Select Committee.
"Through the views and opinions of all the District Councils, we can now move towards amending this. I am happy that we were given the chance to submit our views and opinions on the Bill to strengthen the District Councils."
The Chief Minister also suggested the inclusion of Khasi and Garo language in the Eighth Schedule. He said, "We have taken up the resolution in the Assembly for inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eight Schedule.
"To assure our people and the tribal people of the North East that they are given the same importance, the recognition of our languages is very important. And not just for Meghalaya but for all the 40 languages that are seeking inclusion in the Eighth Schedule. More than anything else, the integration of the country is most important and it starts from recognising our languages".
On the inclusion of North East chapters in the national syllabus, the Chief Minister commented, "The inclusion of chapters on the North East will play a huge role in national integration. Children from other States must learn about the culture of the North East and in doing this, we are moving forward as a country taking everyone along and leaving no one behind".
The Chief Minister also suggested that a 'Presidential Retreat' should be set up in the North East to promote national inclusion.