Adelbert turns down Govt plea
SHILLONG: Former KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum, who has been on an indefinite fast since May 16 near the Shillong Civil Hospital junction demanding institutionalisation of the traditional institutions in the state, has turned down the state government’s request to call off agitation saying he would continue his agitation until the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2014 gets the state Governor’s seal of approval.
The former KHADC CEM on Thursday said that he was against the decision the state Government to come with ordinance “since it is clear case of infringing into the jurisdiction of the Council”.
Earlier in the day, the District Council Affairs (DCA) Minister HDR Lyngdoh met Nongrum to request him to call off his indefinite hunger strike in view of the steps taken by the Government to pass the two VABs.The Minister also handed over a letter from the State Government to Nongrum.
The request from the DCA Minister came a day after the State Government agreed in principle to pass two bills after the ECs of the KHADC and JHADC rectify certain flaws present in the two bills.
As per the letter, the Government informed that it had fruitful discussions with the Chief Executive Members of KHADC and JHADC and their team in the presence of legal experts to discuss all pending issues with the aim to facilitate the consideration and approval of the two bills passed by the KHADC and JHADC.
“The draft Ordinance “Meghalaya Local Administration (Empowering the traditional institutions, Traditional Bodies and Headmen) Ordinance 2015″, which in no way infringes upon the legislative jurisdiction of Autonomous District Councils, has again been sent to the Governor today after giving appropriate justification.,” the Government added.
To this, Nongrum said “I told the DCA minister that I am not willing to end my agitation” and added that “The ordinance will somehow override the two bills passed by the KHADC and the JHADC.”