3-day GHADC session begins with protest by NGOs
TURA: The first budget session of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), since the completion of the election process to elect a new house of 29 MDCs, began on Wednesday morning with the new National People’s Party (NPP) led Garo Hills Progressive Alliance set to present its first supplementary budget.
The supplementary budget of the GHADC for the year ending March 31, 2016 could not be presented on the first of the three day session due to time constraints and is expected to be placed before the House on Thursday morning.
The first session of the new House was greeted by a poster campaign and a silent protest by Garo organizations that raised objections to the participation of non tribals in the recent council election.
Despite their protest, the agitating groups allowed the council to hold their session without any hindrance.
During the question hour, Tura MDC Rupert Sangma demanded to know the reason for the failure of the council to pay salaries to its staff to which the CEM assured that it was the topmost priority of the present executive committee to disburse all pending dues of the staff as soon as possible.
To a query by Congress MDC Ismail R Marak, the CEM informed the house that a total sum of Rs.3,33,62,297 was required for the salaries of 1699 council employees.
It was pointed out by EM for Taxation, Kurosh M Marak, that although the district council has leased 21 toll collection gates only Rs.74,73,423 was received as revenue from 2011 to 2014.
In a reply to Jogonsing D Sangma (MDC) on the number of mobile towers and revenue collection, the CEM informed that there are 240 mobile towers within the Garo Hills jurisdiction and a revenue of only Rs.60,000 has been received.
Despite district council and A’king lands having control of the largest forested land in Garo Hills, it was announced by EM for Forest, Sukaram K Sangma, that green coverage in Garo Hills stands at only 6830 sq.km. as per the State Forest Report of 2011.
Tura MDC Rupert M Sangma also asked CEM Denang T Sangma whether any measures had been taken for establishment of a separate electoral roll for the GHADC and check infiltration to protect tribal interests.
CEM Denang Sangma clarified that currently no steps have been taken for a separate electoral roll and informed the House that checking of infiltration is the subject of the district administration.