Centre’s spl assistance for autonomous dist councils
SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council chief PN Syiem has welcomed the NDA government’s decision to grant special assistance to the ten Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of the North-East.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, the CEM said, “As the Chairman of Forum of Councils under Sixth Schedule (FOCUSS) I am very happy to say that the NDA Government has provided all the special assistance for the year 2015-’16.”
Following a request made by a delegation of FOCUSS the Union Government had sanctioned Rs 267.4 crore for the three -the KHADC was allocated Rs 133.12 crore, Rs 100.71 crore for GHADC and Rs 33.57 crore for JHADC.
Other ADCs of the North East including Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council received Rs 94.11crore, North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council – Rs 24.66 crore, Bodoland Territorial Council – Rs 421.02 crore, Lai Autonomous District Council – Rs 4.64 crore, Mara Autonomous District Council (Mizoram) – Rs 7.64 crore, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council – Rs 175.95 crore and Chakma Autonomous District Council – Rs 4.58 crore.
Altogether, Rs 1000 crore was sanctioned to the 10 ADCs of the North East.
Clarifying on the one time assistance, Syiem said, “As long as the ADCs are not qualified under Article 280 of the constitution, it will be a one-time assistance for the ADCs. If we are covered under the Article then only we can enjoy the much needed assistance from the 14th Finance Commission,” Syiem said.
He added that the ADCs do not fall under the purview of the Article 280 while it covers panchayats and municipalities and stated that the previous Finance commission only made considerations so far as allocation of funds are concerned.
In maybe reminded that last year, Syiem said that FOCUSS have unanimously decided to accept the provision that the ADCs would enjoy central funding under Article 280.
On the other hand, in view of the amendment of the Sixth Schedule where views and ideas of the Autonomous District Council (ADCs) are to be incorporated in the amendment, in this regard PN Syiem, Chairman of (FOCUSS), met Kiren Rijiju at Guwahati.
In addition to the amendment of the Sixth Schedule, he raised the issue of non-allocation of funds for the ADCs by the 14th Finance Commission to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and other officials of the home ministry, “The officials of Home Ministry will coordinate with the Finance ministry and they have assured to take care of the matter as there will be a temporary arrangement.”