SHILLONG: Three years after the signing of the peace text with ANVC-ANVC-B militant groups, the points mentioned in the agreed text of settlement are yet to be followed up.
There were not many meetings held by the joint committee of both the Centre and the State to discuss the peace text.
Besides, several committees were formed by the state government with concerned departments which have not arrived at any conclusion as they had held only a few meetings.
While the text is gathering dust in government departments, many of the ANVC members have become contractors and businessmen.
After a message was sent to former publicity secretary of ANVC Arist Sangma on the status of the agreed text of settlement, his response was, “Sorry I am out of touch with other members.”
Though a message was sent to former general secretary of ANVC Wanding Marak for his response on the text of settlement, he did not reply.
The agreed text of settlement with ANVC and ANVC-B was signed on September 24, 2014, while the disbanding ceremony was held on December 15.
When asked, principal secretary in the Political Department MS Rao said many of the issues mentioned in the peace text will have to be dealt by the District Council Affairs Department.
However, commissioner and secretary of District Council Affairs T. Dkhar said the Political Department was supposed to monitor the matter since the District Council Affairs have limited role. “We had already recommended for increase of seats in district councils as per the agreed text of settlement which are pending with the Centre,” he said.
On the matter related to delay in rehabilitation package to the militants who have joined the mainstream, Rao said proper screening will have to be done before releasing the money.
Some of the disbanded ANVC-B cadres had claimed that they are yet to get the one time financial package of Rs.1. 5 lakh per cadre.
According to the agreed text of settlement, as many as 13 subjects, including minor works of agriculture, sericulture and weaving, animal husbandry, fisheries and minor irrigation, among others, will have to be transferred to GHADC. For this, many committees were formed by the state government.
The agreed text also speaks about strengthening the existing healthcare, road and communication infrastructure to uplift the Garo Hills region. The agreement also states that the State government will extend one time funding support to be spread over a period of five years to strengthen the local/traditional institutions at the grass root level.
Though stipulated in the agreed text, the government is yet to take steps to bring the Civic Administration (Municipal Council) under GHADC.
Besides, horticulture college, district hospitals and other institutions are yet to come up as per the agreement.
Moreover, there was no periodical review by MHA committee headed by Joint Secretary (NE) every six months on the status of implementation of the decisions taken based on the agreement.
