SHILLONG: The state Congress has opposed any move by the Centre to introduce panchayat-like institution in Meghalaya.
Talking to media persons, Congress leader and former minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh said as per media reports, the Centre is going to amend the Sixth Schedule and bring panchayati raj but the party would oppose it tooth and nail.
“We will not accept dilution of the Sixth Schedule,” he said, adding that Meghalaya was exempted from the panchayati raj system under the 73rd and 74th amendments.
Media reports on Thursday said the Centre was ready to amend the Sixth Schedule and set up panchayat-like institutions in Sixth Schedule areas through election to facilitate rapid development.
Lyngdoh said the party would forego finance rather than dilution as the move would endanger indigenous communities. He hinted at the BJP’s hidden agenda.
CM attends Sixth Schedule meet
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had on Thursday attended a meeting convened by the Union Home Ministry in Delhi to discuss the amendment to the Sixth Schedule.
Besides Sangma, the chief ministers of Assam, Tripura and Mizoram where there are district councils, were also present.
The outcome of the meeting is yet to be known.
