SHILLONG/JOWAI: The seven newly elected MDCs to KHADC and JHADC were sworn in on Friday.
While six KHADC MDCs were sworn in before District Council Judge S. Kharsyiemlieh, the lone MDC from JHADC, former Council Chief Lamdibok Sumer of the Congress from War East, took oath before JHADC Chairman Arborhima Darnei in the presence of other MDCs and officers.
The new KHADC MDCs are UDP member H.S Shylla and Equator Nongrang from Nongkrem and Mairang, respectively, NCP’s Ricky Shullai from Laban-Mawprem, HSPDP’s Samlin Malniang and Blandingstar Warjri from Nongspung-Sohiong and Pariong-Mawthadraishan, respectively, and Congress’s Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang from Rambrai-Jyrngam.
Members of the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) were present during the swearing-in ceremony. Family members and relatives, party workers of respective political parties witnessed the simple function held in the Council’s conference room.
The by-election was necessitated after the resignation of seven MDCs following the passing of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015, by the State Assembly.
Addressing media persons, Shylla said there are grey areas in the autonomous district rules that need to be examined and stated that some rules need to be amended.
When asked about his stand on uranium mining in the State, he UDP’s Shylla said, “The uranium imbroglio in the state is over. The state government on August 1 has decided to revoke the August 24, 2009, land deal with Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL).”
At the height of contentious uranium issue in the state, it may be recalled that the State Government on August 1, decided to revoke the August 24, 2009, decision of the cabinet, headed by D.D Lapang, to lease out a plot of land measuring 422 hectares in South West Khasi Hills for 30 years to UCIL to carry out pre-mining activities.
Referring to a report by Mining Weekly on July 20, 2015, Shylla said, “As per the report, India has decided to reject new uranium projects in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Some of the reasons cited for the unfeasibility are hilly terrain, opposition from the populace and huge expenses.”
He stated that uranium mining should not be resumed in the State.
Replying to a query about one MDC seat in the KHADC still lying vacant, Shylla quoted Rule 6 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Council) Rules, 1951, stating that the KHADC should consist of 30 members of whom 29 have been elected on the basis of adult suffrage and one member will be nominated by the Governor.
“The word ‘may’ is not used but the word ‘will’ is mentioned. It all depends on the wisdom of the Governor.”
“The respective Himas need to have their own rules. All the 25 chiefs of the Khasi Hills should have their own act and codification should be done accordingly,” he said.
