KHADC Budget Session ends
SHILLONG, June 19: Opposition members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Friday staged a walkout from the House after Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana disallowed a discussion on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Service Rules, 2026.
The incident occurred on the final day of the Council’s Summer Session when Leader of the Opposition Titostarwell Chyne sought to speak on amendments he had proposed to the newly tabled service rules.
Delivering his ruling, the Chairman stated that there was no necessity for a debate since Chyne had already submitted a written amendment clearly indicating the provisions he wanted deleted.
He maintained that the objections had been formally placed on record and therefore did not warrant further discussion on the floor of the House.
The ruling was strongly opposed by Chyne, who argued that denying discussion amounted to curtailing the right of elected members to raise concerns and debate important issues before the Council.
He contended that the proposed service rules did not adequately address the welfare and interests of KHADC employees and said he wished to highlight several discrepancies in the draft rules.
Chyne further questioned why the Executive Committee was unwilling to permit discussion despite enjoying a comfortable majority in the House.
He maintained that the Opposition was prepared to continue deliberations for as long as necessary and insisted that amendments already admitted by the Chair should not subsequently be rejected without discussion.
The Opposition leader also expressed concern that the proposed rules did not sufficiently define the powers and role of the Chairman, arguing that the matter concerned the functioning of the House and deserved detailed consideration by members.
Responding to the objections, Kharjana said he had carefully examined the matter and concluded that it could not be allowed to be discussed. He maintained that the Chair would not permit debates that he considered frivolous or lacking merit.
The Chairman subsequently sought the sense of the House, and the majority of members opposed allowing discussion on the amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition.
Following the ruling, Opposition MDCs walked out of the House in protest, while the proceedings of the Council continued.
Deficit budget of
Rs 16.92 lakh passed
The KHADC, during the session, also passed a deficit budget of Rs 16.92 lakh for the financial year 2026-27.
The budget, tabled by Executive Member in-charge of Finance, Seiborlang Warbah, estimates total expenditure at Rs 214.60 crore against anticipated revenue receipts of Rs 214.43 crore, resulting in a deficit of Rs 16.92 lakh.
The House approved the budget through a voice vote after completing the voting process on the demands for grants.
Under the budget allocations, the General Administration Department has been earmarked Rs 35.88 crore, while the Revenue and Finance Department has been allocated Rs 11.54 crore. The Forest Administration Department will receive Rs 11.29 crore under both plan and non-plan heads, whereas the Civil Works and Development Department has been allotted the largest share at Rs 130.37 crore.
The Education Department has been allocated Rs 71.46 lakh, the Law Department Rs 74.15 lakh, and the Administration of Justice and Judicial Department Rs 7.43 crore. The Legislative Department has been provided Rs 10.20 crore, while Rs 6.39 crore has been earmarked for the Enforcement Scheme for Protection of Tribal Land and Interest.
The budget will meet expenditure related to the salaries and allowances of elected members, including the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Leader of the Opposition, Executive Members, and employees serving in the executive, legislative and judicial wings of the Council.
