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Pact silent on GHADC seats, spl package

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ANVC-ANVC-B Agreed Text for Settlement

SHILLONG: The Agreed Text for Settlement signed on September 24 with ANVC, and ANVC-B does not specify the exact number of seats to be increased in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and also any special central package for next five years.

Though earlier it was suggested to increase the strength of GHADC from the current 30 to 40 , the Agreed Text for Settlement, a copy of which is available with The Shillong Times, only says that “an increase in the number of members of the Council is agreed in principal” without mentioning how many seats will be increased.

However, a senior official with the home department said that the exact number of seats to be raised was not considered by the Union Cabinet as the number will come up when the amendment of the Constitution is initiated.

Earlier, the State Government had projected an increase from the present 30 to 40 seats in GHADC and KHADC, while the strength proposed for JHADC is 34 from the current 30 since Jaintia Hills constituencies are small.

However, when the final settlement was arrived at, the number of seats did not find space in the Agreed Text for Settlement.

There is nothing radical in the Agreed Text for Settlement signed by ANVC and ANVC-B with both State and Central Governments on September 24 in Delhi though both the rebels struggled and fought for years shedding blood and resorting to killings, looting and abducting, to achieve something better.

The agreement is not like the one entered into by Bodo Liberation Tigers forming Bodoland Territorial Council though it has only some similarities with the peace pact entered into by UPDS and DHD militant outfits.

Unlike 13 subjects to be transferred to GHADC, 40 subjects were transferred to Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) after the agreement was signed in February, 2003.

While the Centre announced a financial assistance of Rs 100 crore per annum for 5 years for projects to develop the socio-economic infrastructure in BTC areas, the amount announced for Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council when an agreement was signed with UPDS in November 2011 was a special economic package of Rs.350 crore (Rs.70 crore per annum) over and above the plan fund over the next 5 years.

Moreover, a special economic package of Rs 200 crore (Rs.40 crore per annum) over and above the plan fund over the next five years was agreed to be provided to the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council ( DHATC) when both the factions of Dima Halam Daogah signed the agreement in October, 2012.

As far as the agreement with ANVC and ANVC-B is concerned, the Centre has not budgeted any amount for the next five years as part of empowering GHADC.

However, a home department official said that though the specific amount of money is not quantified, funds will be arranged in due course of time.

As per the agreement, the State Government will provide one time funding support for five years to strengthen the local/ traditional institutions at the grass root level.

Additional subjects : The additional 13 subjects to be transferred to the Council are minor works in various departments which include PWD, PHE, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Agriculture, Weaving and Sericulture, Handloom and Textile, Minor irrigation, and fisheries.

Roles in Tourism, Joint Forest Management Committee, and Arts and Culture are other new areas of an empowered GHADC.

Regarding areas to be administered by GHADC as far as Rural and Urban affairs is concerned, a committee will be formed to determine minor works to be transferred to the Council.

Moreover, the civic administration of towns through duly elected local bodies will be handed over to GHADC. A commission will be set up to make a study and suggest administrative and legislative structure in this regard.

However, the Agreed Text for Settlement does not make clear whether elected local bodies means Municipal bodies as the pressure groups from Garo Hills in the past have been opposing holding Municipal elections.

The agreement also said that the demand for more civil sub divisions will be examined by the State Government.

Role of officers : GHADC will have full control over the officers and staff concerned under delegated subjects, and they will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Council.

“Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of these officers will also be written by the appropriate authority of the Council . The state government, however, will evolve a formula in consultation with the Council so that the salary of the staff is not delayed due to the procedural lacunae ; “, the text said.

The appointments to the posts in respect of the subjects/ departments transferred/ allocated to the Council will be done through a transparent process by the district selection committees and Meghalaya Public Service Commission.

As per the agreement, since the officers will be placed under the full control of the Council, the relevant rules/regulations of the State Government like the conduct rules, the disciplinary and appeal rules will be adopted by the Council formally. (To be continued)

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