TURA: Concerned over the “growing problem of influx of illegal immigrants” in the State, the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), CEC Tura has called for changes in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to contain the situation.
In a statement issued here recently, the union pointed out a number of “demerits” in the existing rules and made suggestions for their amendment.
With regard to sub paragraph (1) of Para 2 it recommended that not more than 60 members, comprising of indigenous people of Garo Hills to the House of the GHADC are constituted as members out of which 56 MDCs are to be elected and four nominated by the Governor on the recommendation of the House.
It also proposed that the members of each Village Executive Council are elected by the Maharis/clans from amongst the indigenous people belonging to an A’king and explicated as the body functioning under the Nokma and recognised by the GHADC under the provisions of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution giving due recognition to the customary laws, practices and traditions of the indigenous people as enshrined in the Autonomous District Council.
Regarding sub paragraph (2) of Para 2, the union was of the view that the powers of the District Council over the Sixth Schedule Areas are diluted as the provisions of the municipality takes precedence in urban settlements ultimately and illegally relegating the functioning of the District Council to the background. It informed that the creation of the Municipal Council in its present form as indicated in the draft proposal is omitted and the strengthening of the Sixth Schedule is made the prime objective to ensure that indigenous people are better protected.
“The Sixth Schedule provides for the creation of the Town Council by the District Council so it can be made mandatory for the District Council under obligation to the provisions of the Sixth Schedule for its creation and to elect members from amongst the indigenous people or constitute the Town Council by exclusive reservation for the Scheduled Tribes,” the GSU observed.
It also stated that the manner in which the GHADC term was extended by the State Government was highly controversial due to the number of extensions already made.
“The extension of the GHADC must be as per the guidance of the Constitution in which case either the term of the GHADC be extended and a nominated member shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor or an interim government be put in place as is the case in many peace settlements in North East,” the GSU said.
The union also recommended among others the de-politicisation of the District Councils, the omission of clause (iii) of Sub-Paragraph 6 (A) in the case of Meghalaya, the constitution of the Town Council by the Governor and the preparation of a separate electoral roll for the District Council by the council itself.
