SHILLONG, Jan 29: The Meghalaya Congress said it would follow up on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution if it manages to form the Executive Committee in the KHADC after the elections.
Highlighting the 10 points in the party’s manifesto after filing his nomination seeking re-election from the Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency at ISBT here on Wednesday, former KHADC Deputy CEM, Pynshngain N. Syiem said the proposed amendment should benefit the local indigenous tribe.
Stating that the party would try to improve and streamline the functioning of the executive, legislative, and judiciary wings of the council, he said they would also try to improve the financial position of the council by strengthening all the revenue-generating departments.
“The stability of the financial position of the council is very critical. We would ensure that our staff do not suffer due to financial instability,” Syiem said.
According to him, all institutions, firms, and companies applying for NOCs and licenses from the district councils should have a clear-cut policy on jobs for the local unemployed.
He said it would be of great help if a single firm or company could create 20 to 30 job opportunities for the local youth. “It is high time all companies and firms approaching the council for various permissions had a policy on employing the local youth,” he said.
Syiem also said the party would take steps through the council to protect and rejuvenate the environment, forest, and water bodies which are in critical condition. This would be done in collaboration with various stakeholders including the Himas, Raids, and Dorbar Shnongs.
He further said the party would try to promote and preserve the Khasi language, culture, and traditional practices. “We will try to seek the support of both the Centre and state government for the development of the localities/villages, Raids and Himas,” he added.
He also said they would come up with more stringent laws to ensure there is no infringement on the rights of the land of the Khasi tribe.
The former Deputy CEM said they would find a way to protect the border areas falling under the jurisdiction of the council by closely working with the various Himas.
“We will also try to make stringent laws to safeguard the various traditional institutions and to protect the traditional culture and practices of the Khasi indigenous tribe,” the Congress candidate said.
Syiem said the party would try to strengthen the village court and the district council courts to expedite the adjudication of cases. “This effort will also help to create employment opportunities to the youth who have completed their law degree to practice in the various courts of the council,” he said.
When asked about his chances, he said he trusts the electorate of the constituency to judge the work he has done to contribute to the various localities through the Dorbar Shnong, youth organisations, and sports clubs.
“People will also judge me based on my contribution to legislate laws as the former Deputy CEM to protest the interest of the local indigenous tribes,” Syiem added.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate from Mawryngkneng, Jonathan Syiem told reporters after filing his nomination papers that the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule would further strengthen the functioning of the district councils.
He also said the proposed amendment would pave the way for direct funding to the traditional institutions, similar to the Panchayati Raj system.
