ST panel discusses more teeth to Sixth Schedule

NONGSTOIN: The Syiem and the secretary of the Hima Nongstoin submitted a memorandum to a visiting delegation of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) on Tuesday asking the Centre to give teeth to the Sixth Schedule in the proposed amendment.
The member of the NCST, Hari Krishna Damor, assured that the commission would go through the memorandum minutely before sending it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for tabling in Parliament.
Damor, who arrived in Nongstoin on Monday on a two-day visit to review constitutional safeguard for scheduled tribes in the state, requested members of the Hima and other traditional heads to write to NCST on their problems like inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, poor road connectivity, irregular power and water supply to remote areas.
The NCST member promised to take up the matter with the Centre through the chairman of the commission.
Apsharailang Syiem highlighted the traditional institutions in Nongstoin and the state in general. He also urged the NCST member to help in preservation, protection and strengthening of the existing indigenous institutions.
Damor, who was accompanied by Assistant Director S P Meena, met the district heads of various line departments at the Conference Hall, DC office Nongstoin where various issues like scholarship, hostels for boys and girls, midday meal, PDS and others were discussed. The district officers requested the members of the commission to relate to central norms and guidelines which need to be modified as per the topography, population, area, size customs and tradition of the northeastern region. The memorandum was also submitted by village leaders apprising of the problems and hardships faced by the area which needs an intervention of the Commission.
The Syiem of Nongstoin was also accompanied by A L Syiem Secretary of Hima Nongstoin.