By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The KHADC would emphasize on the need to empower the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with the powers of the Panchayats as enshrined under Article 243 of the Constitution of India while submitting their proposals to the Ministry of Home Affairs on the proposed amendments of the Sixth Schedule.
A senior official in the KHADC told The Shillong Times on Tuesday that the KHADC would like to see that there is a constitution of the State Finance Commission in the ADCs similar to the one which are there in the Panchayats to look into the distribution between the State and the Councils of the net proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees leviable by the State.
According to senior officials, the KHADC would also like to see the constitution of the State Election Commission to conduct the District Council elections like in the Panchayats.
“The SEC would consist of the State Election Commissioner who would be appointed by the Governor,” a senior official said.
Meanwhile, a senior official also said that the KHADC would also propose that there should be 1/3 reservation for women in the ADCs.
When asked about the proposed strengthening of the GHADC which would also have ramifications on the other two ADCs (KHADC and JHADC), a senior official said that all these issues would be discussed in the sub-committee constituted by the Council to discuss proposed Amendments to the Sixth Schedule.
The senior officials also informed that the sub-committee is likely to hold its first meeting sometime next week.
Meanwhile, the emergent meeting of the State Dorbar Hima Mylliem which was held on Tuesday have decided to constitute a 40 member Legislative Committee (ten Myntri’s, 10 Provincial Chiefs (Syiem, Lyngdoh, Bong the Raid), 10 Rangbah Shnong, 5 Advisers an Legal Counsel, with Syiem and Deputy Syiem as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, to study and propose suitable legislation/provisions to the proposed draft Amendments to the Sixth Schedule, proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The meeting also decided to convene the first meeting of the Legislative Committee on the April 15 even as to convene a meeting between the Legislative Committee and the 14 MDC’s within Hima Mylliem Syiemship in April 24 in the office of Syiem Mylliem so as to understand their views on the matter.
The meeting also decided that the report of the Legislative Committee would be placed before the State Dorbar Hima Mylliem on May 1.
Finally, the meeting also decided to urge the KHADC authorities to ensure that any amendment to the Sixth Schedule should be in accordance with the provision of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement 17 August 1948, as the Khasi States enjoyed special status similar to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution of India.