By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government is contemplating to adopt a two-pronged strategy with regards to the jinxed Municipal elections in the State.
Outlining the strategy, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who attended the Assembly Select Committee meeting here on Friday, said the State Government would hold consultations with the stakeholders and NGOs before deciding on the process of nomination of ward commissioners by the different traditional institutions in the State.
Since this process would take a considerable amount of time, the government is also likely to approach the Gauhati High Court seeking extension of the September 30 deadline set earlier by the Court for holding of civic polls for four municipal bodies in Garo Hills region.
“As of now, the Government has not thought of any policy for nomination of the ward commissioners by the traditional institutions. It is too early to think of anything on this line,” Ampareen said.
She, however, recalled that it was only last week that the Union Ministry of Urban Development had agreed to a proposal of the State Government to allow traditional institution to nominate the ward commissioners.
The Urban Affairs Minister informed that the Centre has agreed, in principle, to allow traditional institutions, falling within the territorial jurisdiction of municipal areas, to nominate members to civic bodies.
The Urban Affairs Minister also informed that the Assembly Select Committee would hold consultation with various NGOs and stakeholders from August 22-24 on the proposed Meghalaya Community Participation (MCP) Bill, 2010.
“After Garo Hills, the House Select Committee would also hold similar consultation in Jaintia Hills,” Ampareen said, even as she insisted that the nomination of the ward commissioners by the traditional institutions would have to be in accordance with the MCP Bill, 2010.
On the Government’s plan to seek extension of the deadline for holding the civic polls, Ampareen said, “We are currently preparing the documents for our case. I would meet lawyers on Monday to discuss our strategy before approaching the court.”
Ampareen, however, maintained that the Government would not want to cross fire with the court verdict.
It may be reminded that the State Government had to postpone the civic polls in Garo Hills scheduled in August fearing breakdown of law-and-order situation in the insurgency-prone area.