SHILLONG: The UDP on Friday questioned the decision of the State Government to extend the term of the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the State.
The Government had earlier extended the tenure of the JHADC and KHADC by 15 days and the GHADC by six months.
“There is no justification in extending the term of the three ADCs. This is purely a political gimmick of the Congress-led MUA Government,” UDP secretary Allantry F Dkhar told newsmen here on Friday.
Dkhar said the decision to extend the term of the GHADC by six months was an insult to the people of Garo Hills.
While the Government is claiming that they have extended the tenure of the GHADC on the ground to complete the peace agreement with the ANVC, the UDP secretary said that there is no time for Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma to lobby with the Centre to approve the peace agreement at the earliest since the Lok Sabha polls are likely to take place in mid April-May.
“Whatever the Chief Minister had envisaged for Garo Hills will not materialize,” the UDP secretary said.
Even if the proposed amendment is approved by the Centre, the two other district councils (KHADC & JHADC) will be deprived of the benefits and there will be no uniformity since all the three ADCs fall under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Dkhar said.
He expressed confidence that the people of the State will give a befitting reply to the Congress government during the upcoming elections.
“The Congress is taking the people of the State for a ride. So, it is now for the people to give them a befitting reply in the upcoming elections,” he added.
