By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Centre is examining a suggestion on whether to bring the autonomous district councils under the purview of the anti-defection law and also to restrict members of district councils from contesting assembly elections.
Informing this here on Saturday, the spokesperson of traditional institutions, John F Kharshiing indicated that the Centre might prepare a draft amendment in this regard to examine the twin issues.
According to Kharshiing, some MDCs, who are members of the State Assembly, are holding two constitutional positions in Meghalaya.
More than 17 MDCs have already made up their mind to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.
He said before taking any decision, the Centre would hold consultations with the State Government.
Recently, Kharshiing met Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Shambhu Singh in Delhi and discussed the need to extend the provisions of 10th Schedule of the Constitution to the district councils.
With the constant defections and formation of new executive committees of the autonomous district councils becoming the order of the day, there were suggestion in the past too on the need to bring the district councils under the purview of the anti-defection law.
Moreover, opinions have also emerged on the need to restrict MDCs from contesting assembly elections.
Kharshiing said the issue of extension of 10th schedule to the three district councils was discussed during his meeting with Singh.
Since it was a priority matter, the issue of bringing amendments in this regard was discussed at length.
“The MHA official was shocked to learn that 39 executive committees were formed in a span of 60 years in the KHADC and the official was also apprised of instances where the Executive Committee lasted for a period of a little over a year only due to constant defections which has seriously hampered and affected the functioning of the ADCs in Meghalaya,” Kharshiing said.