By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The differences in the MUA government over the KHADC’s proposal to delimit its constituencies has come to light when Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh shot off a letter to the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the council opposing the move.
When the KHADC’s proposed move received support from District Council Affairs Minister HDR Lyngdoh, Ampareen opposed it saying the council can not carry out any fresh delimitation without consultation.
Demanding a public hearing on the issue, Lyngdoh said “We demand to ensure that the residents and voters of our constituency be afforded right of public hearing before any move is initiated for any delimitation of our constituency.”
The Urban Affairs Minister stated that the delimitation process in 17-Laitumukhrah-Malki constituency, which has already started, was done without the consent or knowledge of the people. “We being the voters and residents of the constituency strongly oppose any such move,” Lyngdoh said in her letter.
On the present composition of the 16-Nongthymmai and 17-Laitumkhrah-Malki constituency being subjected to fresh delimitation by KHADC, Lyngdoh said, “It is unacceptable in terms of democratic norms as well as the mandated preconditions of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the constitution of India.”
“The Sixth Schedule of the constitution was framed specifically keeping in mind the protection of special interest and privileges of the tribal population and according to which the council can make rule regarding delimitation of territorial councils only after consultation with the existing tribal councils and other tribal organisations or representative character,” Lyngdoh mentioned.