SHILLONG: The GHADC will be made more accountable and transparent as per the Agreed Text for Settlement with ANVC-ANVC-B groups.
The agreement, a copy of which is available with The Shillong Times, stipulates that there is a need for strict adherence to established norms of financial management in the administration of Council and all concerned should maintain the highest standards of probity to prevent mis-utilisation of funds. With the help of agencies like NABARD, auditing of development projects should be carried out. “Such audit reports along with the action taken report (ATR) from the council shall be placed before the Governor and the legislature within a reasonable time”, the agreement said.
For better monitoring mechanism, a joint committee of both State government and District Council will monitor and review the regular release of scheme based funds to the Council. The matter will be informed to another Monitoring Committee proposed under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
A Committee under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary (NE), MHA comprising representatives from Meghalaya Government, the Council and a nominee of ANVC will review every six months the status of implementation of decisions under the agreement. The Committee will send a report to the union home secretary who may communicate the same with appropriate advice to the state government.
At the Council level, a Review Committee will be constituted comprising the representatives of GHADC, State Government and a nominee of ANVC to ensure proper follow up and implementation of the agreement .
Since the ANVC will dissolve itself within three months, the original nominee of ANVC will be associated with the committees for the first one year from the date of signing of the agreement.
Moreover, an effective procedure will be put in place regarding funds coming from both State and Centre to the Council to ensure their utilization for the intended purpose without diversion or delay.
Development initiatives : A series of development initiatives find place in the Agreed Text for Settlement
General and medical education initiatives will be carried out by the Government as per the agreement.
Besides the medical college-cum-hospital which has already been approved, a General Nursing and Midwifery school as well as a para-medical institute and women and children hospital in Tura will be set up.
Moreover, a Horticulture college and other technical institutions will be promoted as per the agreement In addition, Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) will be asked to open a research unit in an ideal location in Garo Hills.
For the development and preservation of natural water bodies, support will be provided by the state government. For culture and tourism related activities, a synergy will be created between the government departments and Council.
The State Government will also extend support in terms of trained man power to the Council for using Information Technology for management of land records.
Setting up of more border haats, up gradation of land customs stations in the border and establishment of integrated check posts are other plans.
Afforestation and plantation activities at Chokpot and Samanda will be carried out as per the Joint Forest Management Committees.
For raising green cover, bamboo plantations will be promoted besides encouraging agro-forestry.
The agreement further says that crops such as rubber, cotton, cashew , coffer and other cash crops will be promoted.
On the health front, upgradation of district hospitals will be carried out with additional funds from the State Government.
Strengthening of the college, and secondary/ primary education infrastructure and staffing is another assurance as per the agreement.
In the road sector, the agreement said that all the semi permanent wooden bridges will be replaced by permanent RCC bridges within 12th Plan period and another highway connecting Dhubri, Garo Hills and Khasi Hills has been approved by Ministry of Road Transport and High ways.
For the improvement of Baljek airport, steps will be taken to carry out a study to expand the airstrip by realigning the national highway.
Another feasibility study for operating small aircrafts to transport perishable commodities outside the state will be taken up.
Village Councils: The agreement says that amendment will be proposed in the provisions of 6th schedule of the Constitution to facilitate devolution of administrative powers to the grass root level by constituting village level local governance units (village Councils).
The agreement has provisions to transfer the development funds to the village level traditional institutions which would be set up in accordance with democratic principles and franchise as per acts to be framed by state government in consultation with the District Council.
State Finance Commission : As per the agreement, an independent body like the State Finance Commission will be constituted to recommend establishing a proper basis for fund allocations and sharing of tax proceeds between the State Government and Council administration. Both Centre and State will initiate steps for necessary modification in the constitutional and other relevant legislative/procedural regulatory regime.
In the restructured council, for planning and budgetary exercise, the state government will make available adequate number of experienced officers to the Council.
Cultural Centre
In principal it was agreed to set up a cultural centre in Garo Hills to promote and preserve the culture and tradition of Garo Hills.
Moreover, existing district library in Garo Hills will be upgraded by the State Government to the level of a Tribal Research Institute-cum Library and Museum with the library branches in all the districts of Garo Hills.
The agreement also said that a commission will be set up to realize the objective of better delivery of justice and more efficient local governance.
Moreover, the responsibility of providing land for the projects as per memorandum of understanding will be that of the Council.
The state government and the union ministry of environment and forests will consider release of additional funds to the Council for the forest related activities.
Organization related : While the ANVC will dissolve itself as an organization within three months from signing the agreement, the State Government will provide full support to the relief and rehabilitation of members of the ANVC who have surrendered with arms in accordance with the existing policy of the state. “Financial support in such cases shall be limited to the provisions of the relevant scheme prepared and funded by the Government of India”, the agreement said.
As per the agreement, criminal cases registered against the members of ANVC for non-heinous crime will be withdrawn by the State Government. “Criminal cases registered for heinous crimes shall be reviewed case by case according to the existing policy on the subject and wherever feasible steps for withdrawal of such cases will be initiated by the State Government”, the agreement added.