SHILLONG: The delimitation of constituencies under Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council might be delayed with Governor Dr KK Paul seeking more clarity on the amended Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of District Council) Rules, 2013.
The Governor made his stand on the Bill, which was passed by KHADC recently, clear when District Council Affairs (DCA) Minister HDR Lyngdoh along with KHADC CEM Pynshngaiñ N Syiem called on him on Tuesday.
“He (Paul) sought more clarity on the proposed delimitation Bill. We have been asked to submit the clarifications to enable him to have a better understanding on the Bill formulated by KHADC,” Lyngdoh told newsmen later.
The DCA Minister informed that the Governor in fact wanted to know whether the delimitation of constituencies can take place only in one Autonomous District Council (ADCs) or it would be applicable in all the three ADCs of the State.
He informed that the district council affairs department will furnish all the required information to the Governor on Thursday. The Governor, however, felt that delimitation of constituencies should take place within the early part of next year, the Minister said.
Dr Paul suggested the DCA Minister to issue some advisory to all the three ADCs on the need to constitute the delimitation committee. However, the KHADC which had already passed the bill, wanted the Governor to give assent to the Bill.
Stating that though there was no provision to constitute delimitation committee under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution, Lyngdoh said, “But in the spirit of democracy, a delimitation committee can be put in place.”
The autonomous district councils of Jaintia and Garo Hills have constituted their respective delimitation committees but are yet to pass any bill to delimit their constituencies. “The two ADCs have constituted the delimitation committee and have already started conducting public hearings,” Lyngdoh said.