At last some straight-talking from Congress legislator, David Nongrum. The MLA has stated what many have been asking for a very long time that the autonomous district councils (ADCs) should be abolished. He has pointed out that these Councils have become redundant after Meghalaya attained statehood, which is a fact. Those leading the state at the time of its creation did not have the foresight or political will to do away with the ADCs for populist reasons. The Councils have long been recognised as the second tier legislature rather than institutions to uphold tribal rights and privileges. Quite a number of failed MLAs bide their time for the next state assembly elections by entering the district councils and enjoying the perks of office there and also asserting their populist agenda.
Perhaps the one thing that keeps the ADCs busy is the issuance of trading license which also gives them the handle to put pressure on non-tribal traders and professionals working in the state. This particular department headed by the Executive Member (Trade) does not work as a matter of course. There is much arm twisting on those applying for trade licenses, many of whom have to wait for years. These traders in the meanwhile have to operate without this piece of document and are then harassed by pressure and interest groups that take it upon themselves to check the trade licenses of business establishments from time to time. These traders are then coerced to shut down their businesses or pay up even if they are permanent residents of Meghalaya and have run the same business for the past several years.
Other than the business of issuing trading licenses very little is heard by way of development programmes because there are limited funds and much of the funds go into payment of salaries.
The revenue model of the ADCs is faulty. They have more staff than required. Those drawing their salaries from the Councils have been appointed not because they are needed but for political expediency. How else will the Garo Hills District Council have over 1700 employees? Does it even need so many people to work for it when the outcomes are not visible? Modern institutions run on the principle of outputs, outcomes and impact. Impacts can be measured by strictly monitoring and evaluating (M&E) the work of an institution. But such monitoring has to be done by an independent agency which has no vested interests.
Each time the Councils organise an event of some significance the stench of corruption is not far behind. The Monolith Festival landed in misuse of Council funds and ended becoming a one-time event. It is time for the central government that funds these Councils to take stock of the situation and recommend strict measures or their disbandment. Institutions that do not deliver have no business to keep draining the public exchequer.
