SHILLONG: The State Government has insisted on inclusion of anti-defection clause in the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to end defection by MDCs.
District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said recently the Centre had sought queries on various aspects of the amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
“Our views were that there should be provision in line with the 10th Schedule of the Constitution that will ensure anti-defection in the councils,” Tynsong told reporters on Friday.
The 10th Schedule has provision to disqualify MLAs and MPs who defect to other political parties. The provision, however, excludes the councils.
There are frequent defections in district councils in absence of a law resulting in the change of Executive Committees.
Besides an anti-defection law, the Home Ministry is also planning to end the dual posts culture to ensure that MDCs do not hold the post of MLAs.
The State Government has no objection to it since the Government had already passed a Bill in this regard.
With the proposed amendment, the strength in the KHADC and the GHADC will rise to 40, including five nominated members from the present 30.
In the JHADC, the strength of the House will be 34 including five nominated members.