New Delhi: The autonomous districts councils of Meghalaya was the main subject matter discussed between Governor V. Shanmuganathan and Union Minister of State for DoNER, Jitendra Singh, when they met here on Thursday.
Though exact details are not known, the meeting assumes significance since the ADCs are demanding amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the very Act under which they were created. The ADCs have submitted a memorandum to the Centre to constitute a committee to deliberate on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
The much delayed Village Administration Bills passed by the KHADC and the JHADC is also pending with the Centre for a long time. The bill aims at better and decentralized administration in the villages in the jurisdiction of the ADCs.
The Governor, who is also a member of the North Eastern Council (NEC) headed by the DoNER minister, gave his inputs regarding the working of the NEC Headquarters at Shillong. He appreciated the ambience and the library facility available at the NEC Complex and suggested that the same could be put to greater utility.
The Governor also took up the issue of expansion and modernization of the airport at Shillong, in response to which Singh informed him that the DoNER Ministry was coordinating with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to expedite the project. He added that he has suggested the Aviation Ministry to consider the possibility of a commercial helicopter service from and to the airport.
The Union minister also proposed a film institute in the North East, saying it will be possible to attract more film shooting units to Meghalaya and elsewhere in the region.
The Governor informed the DoNER minister about various charity and social activities initiated by him in the State to which the minister assured that his Ministry will come forward and support such activities, wherever feasible.
