By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 31: Despite Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s categorical clarification, doubt seems to linger over threat to ADCs’ autonomy if the state government takes over pay burden on its shoulders.
On Sunday, KSU raised concerns about the potential long-term implications of the MDA Government’s decision, cautioning that the move could compromise the autonomy of the councils.
However, Cabinet Minister and MDA Spokesperson Ampareen Lyngdoh reiterated that such fears are unfounded.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar warned that accepting salary payments directly from the state government could lead to a gradual erosion of the councils’ independence, reducing them to mere government departments.
He emphasised that KHADC had avoided such crises due to better financial management and suggested that overstaffing could be one of the contributing factors.
Instead of taking over salary payments, he said the state government should release the councils’ rightful revenue shares on time, whether it is from mineral royalties or motor vehicle taxes, so they can manage their own finances.
Marngar also warned that if the state becomes responsible for salaries, council employees may be forced to follow government directives, diminishing the role of the elected MDCs.
He urged the state government to hold consultations with all stakeholders, including the ADCs, before implementing any decision that could undermine the councils’ autonomy.
Marngar stressed that the ADCs play a vital role in protecting land, culture, traditions, and regulating traditional institutions like the Himas, Elakas, Dorbar Shnongs, and village Dorbars.
He pointed out that even the Northeast Frontier Railway will need an NOC from the district councils for any proposed railway project in the region.
The Cabinet minister defended the move, saying it was in line with long-standing practices.
“I believe it has been the practice and convention of every government in Meghalaya to handhold and work together with the district councils, which are an authority of their own and have constitutional provisions,” she said.
Rejecting the charge that the government’s intervention would amount to constitutional overreach, Lyngdoh stated, “If you are asking if by handholding the councils, the government is violating certain provisions of the Constitution, the answer is no. We work together, achieve our goals together, which is what we are doing at this point of time.”
She further pointed out that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had already briefed the media on the matter. “It is a commitment of any government, past, present, and future, to handhold the district councils,” she added.
TMC welcomes move
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has welcomed the state government’s proposal to take over the responsibility of paying salaries to employees of the three ADCs.
TMC state president Charles Pyngrope expressed support for the initiative, stating that it would greatly benefit council employees who have long suffered due to delayed payments.
“If employees are working, they deserve to be paid. We must acknowledge the hardship faced by GHADC employees who have spent months without salaries. How are they supposed to support their families?” Pyngrope told reporters.
While acknowledging that some may view the government’s move as politically motivated, he stressed that the suffering of GHADC employees—many of whom are reportedly in debt and unable to afford basic needs like education for their children—warrants urgent intervention.
