TURA, June 12: The ruling NPP in the GHADC is facing immense flak over its decision to appoint two individuals who are not sitting MDCs to the positions of “Chief Adviser” and “Chairman of High Powered Committee” with the main opposition Congress party terming it as violation of all parliamentary norms and a direct attack on the privilege of the elected members.
The NPP-led EC in the GHADC, this week, appointed one Akki A Sangma as ‘chief adviser’ and another Rudraswar Momin as Chairman of the High Powered Committee in the GHADC.
“The Executive Committee led by NPP is appointing these officials at a time when the Council is in dire financial state. The present Executive Committee led by National People’s Party is setting a bad precedent for future generations and its approach is indicative of the lack of leadership and seemingly has a malicious motive. The present Executive Committee is to be held accountable for this sort of mismanagement in GHADC,” charged the Congress as it condemned the ruling dispensation for its latest decisions.
“The existing state of affairs of GHADC is evident to the general public. The circumstances clearly indicate the incompetence of the previous and present Executive Committees of GHADC. To add to the boiling cauldron is the shocking methodology adopted by the present CEM in appointment of Chief Advisor to the Chief Executive Member and the Chairman of the High Power Committee the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. The entire exercise is undemocratic sans any parliamentary norms. It is a direct attack on and deprivation of privilege of elected members of GHADC. It is also a breach of privilege of the elected members of the house. The incumbents to the said posts have been appointed without any consultation with or voting by the elected member of the house,” stated the opposition Congress party in a strongly worded statement released through its spokesperson and Williamnagar MDC Alphonsush R Marak on Saturday night.
The Congress lashed out at the Benedic Marak-led EC and reminded him that the primary role of parliament or the legislative assembly is deliberation and discussion, which are the two hallmarks of Democratic Institution and anything done without discussion with the elected members of the house lacks democratic sense.
“The appointees are unelected, total outsiders without any administrative experience. It is questionable if the exercise is due to ignorance or done deliberately with ulterior motives. It is also a strange deviation from well established parliamentary practice. The appointments are arbitrary. It reflects hidden agenda since there will be no checks and balances which is the core foundation of any parliamentary system based on democratic principles,” cautioned the Congress and further pointed out that an Autonomous District Council or the GHADC, like Parliament or Legislative Assembly is no less than the embodiment of peoples’ will.
“The present action of the EC in appointment of the outsiders is deliberate compromise on security and stability of the system,” warned Congress MDC Alphonsush Marak.
The opposition also reminded the NPP EC that while the employees of GHADC have been deprived of their salaries for more than three years due to financial irregularities, these appointments would create an economic burden and further exert a significant constraint on the financial status of the Council.
Opposition to Non-tribal holding post in GHADC
The FKJGP in Garo Hills has registered a protest against the NPP led EC in GHADC to appoint a non-tribal MDC as a chairman of a council undertaking, this week.
The Independent MDC from Zikzak constituency, Aktar Ali, was appointed by the NPP Executive Committee headed by CEM Benedic R Marak as the Chairman of the Forest Advisory Committee.
In a strongly worded statement to the media, the FKJGP Garo Hills zone demanded Ali’s removal from the position with immediate effect and ensured no non-tribal is given any position in the tribal council.
“The FKJGP and A’chik people of Garo Hills did not accept Aktar Ali as the MDC. His membership in the GHADC itself is unconstitutional!” charged the FKJGP general secretary Raksrang Sangma.
They pointed out that this is not the first time a non-tribal MDC has been given a position in the GHADC, mentioning that in the previous Dipul Marak led EC also another MDC was made vice chairman of forests leading to strong opposition from the people and social and student organizations.
“Couple of years back one non-tribal MDC made vice chairman of forests was accused of interfering in a raid conducted by GHADC officials against illegal saw mills operating in the plain belt region. These mills were operated and controlled by non-tribal businessmen from Assam,” alleged the FKJGP.
