By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: UDP working president Bindo M Lanong has disputed a recent directive of District Council Affairs Minister HDR Lyngdoh, in which the latter had asked the district councils to obtain prior approval from the Governor to table any Bill in the House, saying there is no such provision in the Sixth Schedule.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Lanong said, “There is no such provision in the Sixth Schedule that stated that the autonomous district councils have to seek prior approval of the Governor for introducing any Bill in the House.”
Declaring the KHADC Delimitation Bill null and void for tabling it without the approval of the governor, Lyngdoh recently directed the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) to carry out a fresh exercise for delimitation of their constituencies.
“I have told the three Councils to obtain prior approval from the Governor before tabling any bill from now,” he had said.
However, the UDP leader has a different take on the minister’s stand. Lanong stated that Para 3 clause (E) of Sixth Schedule clearly states that the district councils have the power to establish town committees and village councils.
“As per para 3, all laws have to be submitted by district councils to Governor for approval,” he said adding that the Governor has the power to give his assent as per para 14 of the Sixth Schedule.
Lanong termed the statement of the minister as ‘misleading.’ The UDP leader also castigated the government for declaring the KHADC Delimitation Bill null and void saying that a bill cannot be declared invalid once it is passed by district council. “District councils are autonomous bodies and have their own powers,” he said.
He also stressed on the need for delimitation of constituencies in every 20-25 years considering the changes in demographic poattern.
Enhanced autonomy to GHADC: UDP sceptical
The UDP is unhappy with the Centre decision to grant ‘enhanced autonomy’ to GHADC under the ANVC peace pact.
“Empowering only the GHADC would mean having “two Sixth Schedules in the Indian constitution,” Lanong said.
Refusing to elaborate much on the matter, he said that the party was waiting to which of the demands of ANVC and its splinter group (ANVC-B) were incorporated in the peace pact, which awaits the Centre’s approval.
Earlier, the State Government had decided to set up a committee with members from the Government, Ministry of Home Affairs, district councils and ANVC to finalise the modalities of the pact and also extend the same facilities to the KHADC and JHADC besides the GHADC.
As per the draft agreement, there will be more members in the GHADC and the Council will also be given additional subjects for better administration. Besides, the Council will be strengthened by way of providing financial powers.