SHILLONG: UDP working president Bindo Mathew Lanong on Sunday termed as unconstitutional the Congress-led MUA-II Government’s decision to extend the term of the GHADC by another six months.
“The ruling party in the State is taking undue advantage by subverting the constitutional provision by extending the tenure of the GHADC which is unconstitutional,” Lanong said.
As per the Constitution, the tenure of the Council is five years which cannot be extended, Lanong said, adding that this was setting an unhealthy trend aimed at serving the political interest of the Congress. “It is sad that the ruling party is doing whatever it likes,” the UDP working president stated, while pointing out that this decision has to be protested against in the right forum.
On Friday last the State Cabinet had approved extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) by another six months till January 17, 2015, pending approval of the ‘agreed text for settlement’ with the militant outfit A·chik National Volunteer Council and its break-away faction ANVC-B.