SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCR), a conglomeration of traditional heads, social organisation and students’ unions, on Monday met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and sought clarification on media reports about the state government’s plans of introducing a system of governance similar to the Panchayati Raj.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, R.L Blah, general secretary of Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH), said that the chief minister made it clear that during his meetings with central ministers in New Delhi, he had never uttered the word Panchayati Raj but had only referred to a direct funding system for the autonomous district councils like in the case of the Panchayati Raj system.
He also said that the chief minister has agreed to most of the demands made by the delegation which would be incorporated during amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution which is likely to come up in the winter session of the Parliament. During the meeting, the chief minister asked the conglomeration to depute some members to accompany him to New Delhi for a discussion on the issue with the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
NESO chairman, Samuel Jyrwa who was also part of the delegation said that they are pleased with the outcome of the meeting and they would follow up on the matter. GSU president Tengsak G Momin said that the union is against participation of non tribals in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections.
They have also demanded implementation of the anti defection law in the district councils.