Biplab Kr Dey
Tura, Feb 27: In a major decision that is set to change the entire scenario of elected members to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), a new order that was passed on Feb 17 has set a ST certificate as mandatory to contest the upcoming elections to the GHADC.
The order comes in the wake of a long pending demand by various CSOs over decades seeking the non-inclusion of non-ST elected members into the GHADC – an institution meant to protect the rights of tribals across Garo Hills.
In the order passed by CEM through the General Administration Department (GAD) the order explained that GHADC has been constituted under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India for the purpose of ensuring self governance and safeguarding the customs, traditions, usages and socio-political identity of the indigenous tribal communities of the Garo Hills.
The Executive Committee in its meeting held on Feb 9 this year, after due deliberation, resolved that the effective administration of tribal affairs and preservation of customary laws require that Members of the District Council possess demonstrable status as members of Scheduled Tribes recognized in the state of Meghalaya.
In pursuance of the said resolution of the EC and in exercise of the powers purported to be derived under Paragraph 11 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, the EC issued the following notifications:
For the purpose of contesting any General Election or Bye-Election to the GHADC, every candidate shall produce a valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate issued by the competent authority of the Government of Meghalaya.
The submission of the Scheduled Tribe Certificate shall be treated as a compulsory requirement at the time of filing nomination papers and shall constitute primary documentary evidence of the candidate’s tribal status for the purpose of scrutiny.
“All Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers within the jurisdiction of the GHADC shall verify the production of the Scheduled Tribe Certificate at the time of scrutiny of nomination papers. Failure to produce such a certificate shall be treated as a defect of substantial character and the nomination paper shall be liable to rejection in accordance with the applicable election rules and procedures,” added the order.
The notification will come into force with immediate effect and shall apply to all elections conducted by or under the authority of the GHADC from the date of its publication. Any previous administrative instructions inconsistent with this notification shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, stand modified.
The latest order brings to a close a long standing demand and is expected to release tensions in the run up to the polls with many speculating law and order issues if non ST candidates tried to join the election fray to Council.
“I am happy with the decision to allow only ST candidates for the GHADC elections as this has been a long standing demand. We welcome the course correction done by the GHADC,” said Tura MDC from the BJP – Bernard Marak.
