TURA: Members of the district councils in the state should work hard to strengthen the functioning of the autonomous bodies because questions are being raised about the significance of a district council, Cabinet Minister James Sangma said on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council here, Sangma said, “The Sixth Schedule was enacted by an Act of Parliament for self-governance and benefit of the hill tribes of Meghalaya. But these days many are raising questions about the significance of district council and for this the members and staff should work hard.”
Sangma, who is also the minister for District Council Affairs, inaugurated Saturday’s programme at the council complex in Hawakhana, by unfurling the Tricolour and paying floral tributes to the leaders of yesteryears who fought for the establishment of the GHADC, the oldest post-independence autonomous institution in the Garo-dominated areas.
The minister suggested that in order to pay due respect to the founding leaders of GHADC, a statue or a portrait of the late leaders can be arranged and pay tributes during the anniversary celebration from next year.
In the light of acute financial crisis frequently plaguing the district council, particularly the current situation where employees have not been paid their salaries for over a year, the home minister urged them to cooperate and extend their support for stability of the present Executive Council and informed that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was also concerned about the affairs of the District Council. He assured on assistance from the state government.
GHADC chief executive member Dipul R Marak spoke on the history and formation of the council under the leadership of Captain Williamson A Sangma and Mody K Marak.
He also mentioned about the challenges faced by the GHADC and its employees without salary for almost 14 months now.
Sangma also mentioned about recurring pending expenditure amounting to about more than Rs 59 crore.
Marak mentioned about the ongoing projects of the special plan assistance received from the Centre last year and others like a shopping complex, four-storeyed Members’ Hostel in Tura, seven staff quarters, District Council Museum at Chidekgre near Babadam, court building on the premises of the tennis court near GHADC office complex and 21 guest houses in and around Garo Hills region.
Around 80 per cent work has been completed, he added.
The Director of ABDK’s Christian Literature Society, Bonjera A Sangma, led the gathering in prayers.
A host of dignitaries also attended and spoke during the anniversary celebrations recalling the role of the council played in preserving and protecting the tribal areas.
Those who spoke on the occasion included former CEM and current Council Chairman Denang T Sangma, Executive Member of GHADC Kurosh M Marak, former MDC Semford B Sangma, Chairman of the High Power Committee in GHADC Augustine R Marak and Executive Member Sengnal N Sangma.
Interestingly, while senior citizens of the town, other distinguished dignitaries including Nokmas and Sordars came to take part in the celebration, only a handful of the several hundred council employees attended the event prompting the chief guest and other speakers to raise a pointer about their absence.
