SHILLONG: Former ANVC-B leader Bernard Marak has said that besides the increase in seats, the Agreed Text of settlement will bring about over all development in State.
In a statement, Marak said that if implemented in true spirit, the agreement will benefit the people of the State in general.
“The Agreed Text aims to revamp the traditional system of administration in the three district councils,” Marak said.
According to the former rebel leader, Meghalaya has a unique land holding system within the boundaries of three district councils. “The land holding system and traditional administration was politically manipulated and weakened in Meghalaya by indulgence of traditional institutions (district councils) in state politics,” he said.
The land rights under the traditional bodies are violated en masse by the authorities of the State and the Councils had also weakened the traditional bodies, he said.
“The Agreed Text aims to revamp the traditional bodies, traditional administration and strengthen local governance with direct funding to the grassroots level,” Marak added.
He said that expanding the seats from 30 to 40 is just one angle of the entire agreement which will, in general empower the people and strengthen the traditional system of administration and traditional bodies.
