By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 25: The state government will take over the responsibility of paying salaries of all employees of the state’s three autonomous district councils (ADCs) from November to address their persistent financial crisis, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Monday.
The announcement followed a meeting with members of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) earlier in the day.
A dedicated committee has also been formed to coordinate with all three councils — GHADC, KHADC, and JHADC.
The committee will take 45 days to ensure the necessary systems are put in place for a smooth rollout of the new arrangement, the chief minister informed.
The decision will be formally discussed and finalised during the Cabinet Retreat scheduled for Tuesday.
Highlighting the financial distress faced by the ADCs, the chief minister stated that the GHADC alone requires over Rs 70 crore annually for salaries, while its revenue generation remains below Rs 30 crore.
Pointing out that the similar conditions are there in other district councils, he said that financial problems are there in the JHADC and to some extent in the KHADC.
“The Councils are critical institutions that not only administer local governance but also preserve our traditions, culture, and unique landholding systems. Therefore, it is imperative for the state government to ensure their financial stability and operational continuity,” Sangma said.
He described the move as a “historic step” that would allow the ADCs to shift focus from survival to development and cultural preservation.
To ensure a smooth and transparent process, Sangma informed that the newly formed committee will work closely with all three district councils.
The chief minister also assured that the state government’s role will be limited to financial support, with no interference in the day-to-day functioning or jurisdiction of the councils.
“Our only objective is to bring about financial stability and establish a system that ensures timely salary payments, in line with the constitutional mandate,” he emphasized.
Sangma informed that he also met with Governor CH Vijayashankar to discuss the initiative earlier in the day.
He said the decisions are being made in consultation with the Governor and will be implemented “in letter and spirit” following the Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday.
