KHADC Latiplang Kharkongor Opposed ‘My Village My Development Plan’

SHILLONG: The Executive Member in-charge Land, Mines and Minerals, KHADC Latiplang Kharkongor on Thursday opposed the intention of the central government to implement the Gram Sabha scheme ‘My Village My Development Plan’ sanctioned by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj through the various C&RD blocks in the state.

Addressing media persons at his office chamber, Kharkongor said, “We are not against the various developmental schemes from the centre but this scheme has confused many village dorbars as it has come directly from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.” Pointing out that Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram have been exempt from the Panchayati Raj system, he questioned as to how this scheme has been funded directly by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj through the C&RD blocks.

“If we accept this scheme then the future of our system of dorbar shnong will be danger as it is also required for the dorbar to form a Gram Sabha Committee to overlook the developmental scheme,” he said. He said that an election is required to be included in the committee and in some dorbars there are populace with mixed community and the non-indigenous people will also demand to contest the election. When asked, he said, “The action of the central government clearly shows that it is trying to dilute the traditional custom and tradition of the people of the state because this scheme should be implemented only in those state where the system of Panchayati Raj is in existence.” Kharkongor stated that Meghalaya is exempt from the Panchayati Raj system as it falls under the Sixth Schedule. “In my opinion we cannot accept this scheme coming from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj,” he said. He also said that if the chairman of the Gram Sabha Committee is headed by the headman will be known as the headman or sarpanch and this committee also has to be registered and one this is done it will become a society. In this connection, KHADC CEM HS Shylla also revealed that even some people from his constituency has informed him about this development.

“We will be holding an Executive Committee meeting on Monday next week to examine and discuss this matter concerning this scheme coming from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj through the C&RD blocks,” he said.

“During the meeting we will be discussing on this issue and if there is a need we will also hold a Special session of the district council to express our views as this is an indirect introduction of the Panchayati Raj system in Meghalaya,” he said.

Pointing out that recently the KHADC had amended the AD rules 128 which states that any voting rights should be granted to indigenous people, he said, “However this coming from the Panchayati Raj system states that any adult person can vote which clearly shows that there will not be any reservation for only the Khasi-Jaintia community.” “ Sine the time that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) which is under the subject of the 11th schedule of the constitution we have realized that the implementation of this scheme is to win over the people from rural villages and then try to push the Panchayati Raj system in the state,” he said. He also said that the dorbar shnong should be more wary of the intension of the central government which may affect the traditional custom and tradition of the people. Shylla also stated that the KHADC will strongly oppose the Panchaya Raj system in the state as it will endanger the traditional custom of the people. “It’s strange that the centre is trying to implement the Gram Sabha scheme ‘My Village My Development Plan’ without first consulting with the Meghalaya government because before implementing the Panchayati Raj system there is a need for a one line resolution to be accepted by the Assembly,” he said.

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