SHILLONG, Feb 8: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) said Article 371 of the Constitution of India should be implemented in the state.
Speaking from a common platform organised by the Dorbar Shnong Wahingdoh on Saturday, VPP candidate Strong Pillar Kharjana said he would not go into the merits and demerits of Article 371 since it is a state subject. “But we are going to prioritise Article 371 on our agenda for the 2028 Assembly polls,” he said.
He said he understands that the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution empowers a district council to make laws on allotment of land, social custom, forest, and so on.
The VPP candidate said the district council is weakened by Paragraph 12A which allows the law of the state to prevail over the law of the district councils if there is any conflict. “The Centre cannot impose the applicability of central laws if we have Article 371,” Kharjana said.
He further said the National Green Tribunal cannot interfere with the coal mining activities in Nagaland because of Article 371 there. He claimed rat-hole mining continues in Nagaland.
He said the Centre has no immediate plan to mine uranium in Meghalaya but uranium is being explored and extracted in some areas of South West Khasi Hills where there are uranium deposits. According to him, the Centre is going slow after finding uranium deposits in Andhra Pradesh, which is estimated to be the largest in the world. “The Centre will certainly push for mining of uranium in Meghalaya after 50 years. The focus now is on Jadugoda and Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Seven candidates contesting from the Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency participated in the common platform organised by the Dorbar Shnong Wahingdoh.
The Dorbar Shnong prepared a list of issues for the candidates to speak on from the common platform.
The pointers included a debate on Article 371 versus the strengthening of the Sixth Schedule, environment and sanitation, and issuing of the trading licenses.
Former MDC and UDP candidate, James Ban Basaiawmoit observed that the district councils need to be strengthened.
Speaking of recruitment in the KHADC, he called for written tests and personal interviews and not rampant recruitment meant to further vested interests.
KHNAM candidate, Raymond Basaiawmoit was of the view that Article 371 does not have much relevance in areas governed by the district councils. He asked why some states enjoying the provisions of Article 371 seek the Sixth Schedule.
HSPDP candidate, Jubanlang Kharbihkhiew stressed the need for strong conservation measures to prevent environmental degradation. He felt the scrutiny for trading licences is poor and alleged that such licences are being issued to those without voter IDs.
NPP candidate, Kordor Nongkynrih said there should be a recruitment policy in place. He said the guidelines of the trading license would be strictly followed if his party came to power.
Independent candidate, Diton John Wahlang said he opposes uranium mining and advocated coordination between the district council and the state government in environmental matters.