By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government’s plan to strengthen the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following talks with the ANVC has sparked a wide range of demands including strengthening of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM), PN Syiem, has said that the government’s plan to strengthen the district councils should not be limited only to the GHADC as the same should be considered for the KHADC as well as the JHADC.
“The state government should seek our opinion in this regard because all the three district councils are subjected to many difficulties which require immediate attention,” Syiem said.
The KHADC chief also informed that he will convince his MDCs to share their opinion in this regard and the same will be submitted to the State Government very soon, adding that the meeting will be held sometime this week.
JHADC Chairman Obil Kyndait said the demand of the ANVC with regards to expansion of the powers of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), particularly increasing the strength of the House from the existing 30 to 40 is quite genuine. “If the demand is fulfilled it should be implemented for all the three autonomous district councils in the State,” Kyndait said.
KSU president Daniel Khyriem also stated that if the Centre is planning to bring about changes in the GHADC, then the same should be done in case of the KHADC and the JHADC as well.
Khyriem also mentioned that there were instances where the laws implemented by the State Government often collided with those passed by the district councils which creates confusion and is regression of the powers and functioning of the district councils.
Reacting to the demands for strengthening of the KHADC and the JHADC, ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sangma said that strengthening of the GHADC will automatically result in strengthening of both the KHADC and the JHADC.