Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: The President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil has urged the Governors of the Northeastern states to play a pivotal role in administration of Sixth Schedule areas where there is often clash of interests between the autonomous district councils and traditional institutions.
“The Constitution casts a specific and special responsibility on Governors in the administration of areas dominated by Scheduled Castes and Tribes,” the President said while inaugurating the two-day Governors’ conference here on Saturday.
Meghalaya Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary is also attending the conference being held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Sixth Schedule devolves a special responsibility on the Governors for providing peace, good governance, promotion of the welfare and advancement of inhabitants, Mrs Patil said.
“Special provisions in our Constitution to redress imbalances must work in the right earnest.
“Working of the Sixth Schedule needs a close look to erase flaws, contradictions and shortcomings, so that it effectively fulfils the expected role as a vehicle of self-governance,” the President said.
Speaking about the autonomous district councils she said that often there were complaints that the councils created under the Sixth Schedule had been stunted in their functioning due to tight regulatory control by the State Government and impediments in the flow of funds.
The counter complaints are that wherever councils become entrenched, they have deprived traditional village institutions from having any say in decision making.
“The Governors in the Sixth Schedule areas have to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the interests of the varied sections of the population residing there, and in harmoniously intertwining the indigenous governance practices and traditional institutional mechanisms with modern system of administration,” she said. “Similarly, the Governors have a special role in the areas affected by Left Wing extremism. There is need for a sensitive and sympathetic administration and you may also urge the state governments to intensify the government-tribal interface at the grassroots level to map out the most optimal path for their good,” she said, adding the functioning of the Tribes Advisory Council has to be invigorated.
Speaking about corruption, the President said that it has to be rooted out by adopting a multi-pronged strategy including prompt delivery systems, transparent processes and public accountability.
Public sentiment against corruption in public life was on the rise as this menace stalled development and eroded rule of law, she said.
