KHADC CEM may be asked to quit post

SHILLONG: The AICC may ask KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem to give up the post of CEM to iron out the differences within the party following the passing of the dual post Bill by the Congress-led Government.
Asked by reporters on whether he would ask Syiem to give up the post of MDC, AICC general secretary in charge Meghalaya, V. Narayanasamy who is camping in Shillong, did not give any direct reply and stated, “We will sort out the matter through negotiation and dialogue.”
The Congress leader on Sunday admitted that after the Government passed the Bill, it has created ripples within the party. “There is no issue which cannot be solved through discussion and dialogue by trying to speak to all stakeholders,” he said.
The issue of rift between the chief minister and the KHADC CEM will be discussed at the Congress co-ordination committee meeting to be held on Monday.
The AICC leaders will meet Syiem and other Congress legislators and leaders on the same day.
After the Government passed the dual post Amendment Bill making it effective from October 1, the CEM KHADC was at loggerheads with the chief minister as the latter and other Congress legislators were not consulted on the matter.     Syiem refused to step down from the post of KHADC CEM and even went ahead announcing his resignation from the post of the Chairman of Meghalaya Economic Development Council by stating that he cannot work under the chief minister due to his style of functioning.
Narayanasamy, who arrived here along with AICC secretary in charge Meghalaya Vijay Laxmi Sadho met MPCC president DD Lapang and working president Deborah Marak on Sunday evening.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, however, could not meet the AICC leaders as he was camping in Tura.
‘Governor holds VAB file’
The AICC general secretary has expressed concern over the undue delay on the part of the Meghalaya Governor in giving nod to the Village Administration Bill (VAB).
“The issue related to the village headmen is creating some sort of disturbance. Though the Bill gives protection to the village headmen, it is a matter of concern that no decision was taken for its approval and the headman are agitating over the Governor holding the file with him,” the AICC leader said.
The association of headmen also met the AICC general secretary on Sunday evening and sought his intervention and that of the Government for the approval of VAB.
Ban on mining
Narayanasamy has also said that the party was concerned over the plight of the people due to the ban on coal mining by the NGT and subsequent ban on extraction of other minerals including limestone by the High Court of Meghalaya.
“We feel that the party should be pro-active in addressing the problems of people affected due to the ban though the matter is pending with the NGT and the High Court of Meghalaya,” he said.