SHILLONG: GHADC Chairman Boston Marak on Tuesday said the demand for change of leadership in GHADC was long pending and the NPP leadership did not listen to his demand in this regard in the last six months.
“The MDCs and the people of Garo Hills wanted a change of leadership but the NPP leadership did not do anything resulting in the present crisis,” Marak, who is camping in Shillong, said.
According to Marak, Denang Sangma was appointed as CEM temporarily though NPP leader Conrad Sangma was projected as the CEM soon after the formation of the NPP-led Executive Committee in GHADC.
Conrad, who did not contest the GHADC polls, wanted entry into the Council as a nominated member.
“Later, Conrad was elected MP, but Denang was continuing as CEM though the MDCs wanted a change of leadership,” he said.
Marak said during Denang’s tenure, the employees did not get salary for nine months and there was no transparency and accountability in the functioning of the executive committee.
Marak, who is still with NPP, said after he was projected as the next CEM, he had the support of 16 MDCs with Congress (5), Independents (7), BJP (2) and GNC (2).
Asked about the Garo Customary Bill, Marak said it was not targeted at Chief Minister Mukul Sangma as it has a prospective effect and not retrospective validity.
Marak said the MDCs, irrespective of party affiliations, were not against the Bill but there was lack of discussion on the matter before passing it.
The GHADC chairman said the Bill will go to the District Council Affairs Department and then to the governor for his assent before it takes effect.
District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said the government is yet to receive the Bill.
According to Tynsong, the Bill will be examined by the District Council Affairs and the Law departments before it is given assent by the governor.
“It is not a new Bill and it is yet to come to the department. Unlike other district councils in the North East, we are governed by Paragraph 12 (a) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Any clause of the Bill cannot contradict with the Acts of the legislative Assembly or Parliament,” he said and added that the Acts of Assembly or Parliament supersede those of the three district councils.