SHILLONG: The sub-committee of the KHADC and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (SRS) are resolute to oppose the proposed Meghalaya Community Participation Bill, but agreed to allow the Bill with certain amendments excluding scheduled areas from its jurisdiction.
A meeting between the sub-committee and the SRS on Friday decided to allow the government to implement the Bill only in Jail Road, Police Bazaar and the European Ward areas but not inside the areas under KHADC jurisdiction.
Observing that the Bill would erode the powers and functions of the autonomous councils as enshrined in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the Chief Executive Member of KHADC, PN Syiem said the Council would not like to see that the autonomous bodies being dissolved by the State Government on a flimsy ground.
The meeting observed that if passed, the Bill would enable the State Government to transfer power and assets of the councils to the urban local bodies.
Implementation of the Bill would lead to the holding of elections to the Shillong Municipal Board which was postponed due to stiff opposition from NGOs, Syiem said.
The committee will hold another meeting on June 14 to further discuss the matter.