TURA, July 18: The Nokma Sani Union has opposed the alleged diversion and execution of Rural Local Bodies (RLB) funds through contractors, insisting that the money should be routed through the legally recognised village institutions headed by traditional heads (Nokmas).
The Union, which represents the traditional heads of Garo Hills, convened a meeting in Tura on Thursday where it deliberated on the alleged illegal diversion and misuse of funds meant for RLBs under the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
After detailed deliberations, the Union unanimously resolved to oppose the release and execution of RLB funds through contractors.
The Union held that this practice defeated the constitutional objective of strengthening grassroots local self-governance and violated the framework agreed upon among the Government of India, the Government of Meghalaya and Garo groups for strengthening the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya is excluded from the Panchayati Raj system under Article 243M of the Constitution. Consequently, funds earmarked for RLBs under the Fifteenth Finance Commission are channelled through the ADCs in accordance with the tripartite agreement that recognises the role of traditional institutions in implementing rural local governance.
Village Councils or Village Employment Councils (VECs), and Programme Executive Implementation Committees (PEICs), headed by the traditional heads (Nokmas/Sanis), function as the equivalent of Gram Panchayats for the purpose of implementing these grants.
“Therefore, the tied and untied grants of the Fifteenth Finance Commission are intended to empower these local institutions to identify, execute and monitor developmental works in their respective villages,” the Union said.
It condemned the reported practice of routing these funds through contractors under the Executive Committee of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) instead of transferring them to the RLBs/VCs/GPs/VECs and PEICs.
“Such actions undermine local self-governance, dilute accountability, deprive village institutions of their constitutional role and are contrary to the spirit and intent of the Fifteenth Finance Commission recommendations and the tripartite agreement,” the Union said.
It resolved that all tied and untied grants meant for RLBs must be released directly to the RLBs/VCs/GPs/VECs and PEICs headed by the respective Akhing Nokmas.
The Union felt that the GHADC Executive Committee should immediately discontinue the practice of executing RLB works through contractors where such works fall within the jurisdiction of the recognised village institutions.
“If the GHADC fails to act upon the representations already submitted to the Chief Executive Member, the Union shall initiate appropriate steps including legal proceedings before the competent court to protect the constitutional, statutory and customary rights of the traditional institutions. We will intensify and mobilise all Akhings to safeguard the rights,” the Union warned.
It further resolved to strengthen the authority of Akhing Nokmas in regulating the entry of labourers from outside into Akhing lands.
From now on, non-native labourers seeking employment within Akhing areas will be required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the concerned Akhing Nokma. Such NOCs will be issued for a maximum period of 59 days and may be renewed upon payment of the prescribed fee.
The Union also endorsed an earlier decision of the Nokmas of the Tura area to impose a penalty of Rs 10,000 on both labourers and employers who fail to obtain the required NOC.
The meeting was attended by Tura MDC Bernard Marak, former Deputy Chief Executive Member Nikman Marak, former commander-in-chief of ANVC Jerome Momin and GSMC Co-chairman Balkarin Marak.
The Union also resolved to submit representations to various union ministries as well as Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, seeking their intervention against the continued “misuse” of RLB funds and demanding accountability from those responsible for violating the established framework governing the implementation of the Fifteenth Finance Commission grants.
“The Nokma Sani Union reiterates that the protection of the traditional governance system, the constitutional status of the Sixth Schedule, and the financial autonomy of village institutions are matters of public importance,” the members said in a joint statement.
