‘Provisions of Panchayat system in VI Schedule areas will boost economy’

SHILLONG: Assam Governor P B Acharya on Friday stressed the need for introduction of provisions of Panchayati Raj System in the Sixth Schedule areas which he believes will provide a boost to local economy and strengthen democratic edifice in such areas.
Speaking at the two-day 65th Plenary of North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, the Governor said that for proper decentralization of power in the Sixth Schedule areas, the provisions of the73rd and 74th Amendments (Panchayati Raj Act and Nagarpalika Act), as functioning in other parts of the country, also need to be implemented in the Sixth Schedule  areas.
“This shall ensure flow of funds from Panchayati Raj Ministry directly to the grassroots elected Panchayats and benefit local tribal populace in many ways. This will strengthen/local economy and empower the people with more autonomy under the Panchayatt Raj Act,” he said.
According to Acharya, the district councils being the  products of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India are  expected to uplift the tribal communities in the domains of primary education, health, culture, social customs, social welfare, forest, land, agriculture, water management, village administration, economic and rural development. However, in practice the performances of the ADCs, have not come up to expectations.
He also called for optimum utilisation of mobilising women groups, self help groups and other units for channelizing their energy for social transformation at the grassroots level.
“The region’s natural resources, bio diversities, unique and diverse demographic profile and its proximity with South East Asian nations call for a concerted effort towards its development and NEC, which has been mandated to bolster its development, can play a lead role in this regard,” Acharya said.