Take tribal interests into account: Syiem

SHILLONG: KHADC chief executive member PN Syiem has said that the Centre should consider the interests of indigenous communities in Meghalaya and adopt the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) principle before going ahead with the Aadhaar scheme.
Syiem pointed out that the people residing in the tribal areas of the state are similar to the indigenous people residing in American and European countries in which the principle of FPIC is practiced and people’s decision are taken into account before adopting any policy.
He argued that since the state is protected by the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and FPIC FPIC principle, which is also recognized by the United Nations Organization (UNO) and other international organizations, should be adopted.
Syiem expressed disappointment that the central government while implementing the Aadhaar scheme did not adopt the principle which he asserted is akin to crushing the rights of the indigenous people residing in the Sixth Schedule areas.
“Implementation of Aadhaar without adopting the FPIC principle is against the interests of the tribals who are protected under the Sixth Schedule,” he said.
People who have been protected as indigenous should be free to exercise their expression and there also should be a prior consent, he said.
Accusing leaders in the state of being irresponsible, Syiem said they should write to the central government against implementation of the scheme.
When informed that chief minister Mukul Sangma has not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, Syiem quipped, “Then why are the offices
asking people for Aadhaar enrollment, when he, being the head of the government, has not enrolled?”
GST
Though he termed the GST as a good initiative, Syiem pointed out that new tax regime should be simplified.
“The different rates fixed for different items have overburdened the small time traders and others. It should not be complicated as there are different rates and returns will have to be filed thrice in one month,” he said.
On the GST share in district council, he said that there is no state finance commission in the state which will reflect how much is the share with the central government.
“The state finance commission is not functioning. The state finance commission should have a representative of the district council so that the share from the GST can be discussed,” Syiem said.
Stating that the non-functioning of the commission posed a problem with regard to the discussion on the GST share, he said, “The share should not only be enjoyed by the state government but the Council should also get its share from the state.”