By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The KHADC has come up with certain suggestions on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution which would be submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, CEM Pyngshngain N Syiem said on Thursday.
The KHADC chief also said that the Council has some reservations on certain amendments proposed by the Union Home Ministry.
In the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the Home Ministry has proposed constitution of Village Council or Municipal Council and such Councils will be filled by persons chosen by direct election.
“We have recommended that the term Municipal Council should be replaced by Town Council while the word Village Council should be changed into Village Dorbar which should be directly under the KHADC,” Syiem said, while adding that the Council would look after its finance and election.
While downplaying the Centre’s proposal for constitution of the Village Development Council (VDC) which would allow non tribals to take part in development works initiated by the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), Syiem said that the VDC will have a stake in the overall development of the village even though it would be ‘powerless’.
“The VDC will be answerable to the Dorbar Shnong,” Syiem said.
Meanwhile, he informed that they have also suggested an increase in the strength of the KHADC from the present 30 to 60 members.
“We have made this suggestion on the basis of the population structure of the district council constituencies in Khasi Hills,” Syiem said.
The CEM said that out of the 60 members 55 will be elected while five would be nominated.
“We have suggested that out of the five there should be two women members,” he said.
The KHADC CEM also said that the nominated members will be chosen from among traditional heads and environmental experts who will prove to be resourceful to the Council.