By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 1: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem has expressed concern that there is an attempt from some quarters to mislead people by claiming that Meghalaya does not need the ADCs any longer.
“It took 73 years to bring an amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. I don’t know how many years it will take to get a new Act to protect the indigenous people,” Syiem said at a programme organised to commemorate the 65th death anniversary of the architect of ADCs, Rev JJM Nichols Roy on Friday.
He said he is not sure who will listen to Meghalaya in the Parliament as the state has only three MPs – two in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha.
Syiem said he is concerned that some people are talking about the need to do away with the ADCs when the KHADC is trying its best to insert provisions in the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to strengthen the council.
“We want to see that the proposed amendment strengthens the Sixth Schedule and not weaken it,” he said.
According to him, one of the important provisions in the Sixth Schedule is Paragraph 3 which empowers the ADCs to enact laws.
“One of them is the marriage law. Marriage licences to the various churches are issued by the ADCs,” he said.
Syiem emphasised that bolstering the ADCs will serve as a fitting homage to Rev Nichols Roy. He fondly remembered the late leader’s farsightedness and tireless efforts for the empowerment of the ADCs.
He said the Northeast has 10 ADCs under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, some of which were formed under state Acts.
Meanwhile, KHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member Pynshngain N Syiem said the insertion of Paragraph 12A in the Sixth Schedule by the Act of 1971 destroyed the farsightedness of Rev Nichols Roy.
“Before the insertion of the Paragraph 12A, the word to exempt central laws was in the hands of the Governor. Then, this power was transferred to the President of India,” he said.
According to him, the Governor was bound to act as per the advised of the council of ministers of the state.
“But due to our mistake to exempt central laws, this power was given to the President of India. The President of India will not be advised by the council of ministers of Meghalaya but by the council of ministers of Government of India. We missed the vision of the leader,” Pynshngain said.
He said the KHADC has taken steps to restore Rev Nichols Roy’s vision through the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
Further, he said the council is making efforts to bring back the power of exemption to the Governor of Meghalaya in the proposed amendment.
“If we manage to restore the power to the Governor, then he will have to exempt the applicability of central acts like CAA, UCC only through a resolution of the district council,” Pynshngain added.
The programme was organised by Rev JJM Nichols Roy Memorial Committee and JJM Nichols Roy College along with the KHADC on the premises of the council. Floral tributes were paid at the bust of Rev Nichols Roy.
Others who were present included KHADC Executive Member in-charge of Building Bye-Laws Teiborlang Pathaw, veteran MDC Bindo Mathew Lanong and Rev JJM Nichol’s Roy Memorial Committee chairman Ransom Sutnga.