SHILLONG, Nov 1: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Titosstarwell Chyne, on Monday said that the “people sitting in the Secretariat” are attempting to dilute and weaken the powers of the autonomous district councils (ADCs).
“We are also seeing that the state government is trying to interfere into the affairs of the council which is really unfortunate,” Chyne said during a programme to observe the 62nd death anniversary of the father of the Sixth Schedule, Rev JJM Nichols Roy, at the Council on Monday.
The KHADC CEM said that if the state laws are allowed to be applied in the areas falling under the Sixth Schedule then it will open the doors for even central laws to come into force in areas falling under the Councils.
He said that the powers at present lie with the President of India to exempt the application of the central laws in the Sixth Schedule.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Council, PN Syiem, suggested that attempts should be made to restore the power of exemption to the Governor and also to demarcate the subjects of the state and district council.
It may be mentioned that Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule states, that “the President may, with respect to any Act of Parliament, by notification, direct that it shall not apply to an autonomous district or an autonomous region in the State of Meghalaya, or shall apply to such district or region or any part thereof subject to such exceptions or modifications as he may specify in the notification and any such direction may be given so as to have retrospective effect.”
Supporting the observation of Syiem, Chyne said that it is true that the powers and functions of the ADCs have been reduced due to Para 12 A of the Constitution, especially if there is conflict between the district council and the state government.