SHILLONG: Despite receiving complaints about mismanagements and questionable functioning of the autonomous district councils, the Central government has no plans to abolish the district councils, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Nihal Chand Meghwal, said here on Wednesday.
“We will not abolish the district councils as it is a State Subject. I have come here to discuss the issue of development,” he said while speaking to media persons.
The Union MoS admitted that Meghalaya was not following the Panchayati Raj system but explained that he was in the State to study how to strengthen the local governing bodies in the State.
“Though it is called district councils here, we know it as the Panchayati Raj only,” he said, adding that he was on a visit to the State to see how much progress has been achieved by Meghalaya.
Asserting that the State will get as much funds as it demands, the Union MoS stressed that the central government was committed to development of the State through the existing local institutions.
Reacting to a query non-sanction of funds by the 14th Finance Commission for the autonomous district councils in the Northeastern states, the Minister assured that adequate funds would be provided to all the States as and when demanded.
“Every state from the North East including Meghalaya will get funds from the Centre,” he said.
He also mentioned that Meghalaya is slated to get additional benefit of around Rs.4500 crore since Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided to raise the funds for the states from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.
