Friday, July 11, 2025
spot_img

Centre’s intervention sought to hold civic polls

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

SHILLONG: The intervention of the Prime Minister was sought for the delay in holding municipal polls in the state.
Pawan Sharma, who had filed a PIL on the matter, said in his letter that there is undue delay in holding the civic polls.
The letter was also addressed to the Chief Justice of India and the Union Minister in-charge Law.
Sharma in the petition sent on Saturday said part IX -A of the Constitution provides for elected civic body and since Meghalaya came into being in 1972, no election was held.
He reminded that earlier after he had approached the Gauhati High Court for appropriate relief by way of PIL, the court had ordered holding of election.
Though the Meghalaya government had appealed to the Supreme Court, the latter in an order on October 10, 1999, had directed the government to hold the polls within six months, but it was not followed up, Sharma said.
Subsequently, after hearing another PIL filed by Sharma, the High Court of Meghalaya on April 11 this year directed the government to hold the polls expeditiously.
“But even after seven months, the government has not  done anything,” he said.
“Now, if I approach the Supreme Court, they would say that the order is 18 years old and the High Court will say there is no specific date for election, so no contempt lies,” he said.
According to Sharma, when approached, the state government said it was busy preparing for the Assembly polls to be held sometime in February.
“Now, I am at a loss as to whom to approach for upholding the avowed provisions of the Constitution,” he said.

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Assam Governor assesses Karbi Anglong law and order situation

GUWAHATI, July 11: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Friday chaired a review meeting with security agencies at Taralangso...

Sitharaman holds discussion with Meghalaya Governor on state’s issues

  Shillong, July 11: The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, paid a visit to Raj...

92 Meghalaya border villages under Vibrant Village Programme

Shillong, July 11: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced that 92 border villages in Meghalaya have...

22 Maoists, including eight females, surrender in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, July 11: In a significant development in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, 22 Maoists laid down their arms on...