By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 4: Meghalaya has asked the Centre to incorporate the state’s recommendations into the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2019, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Shillong for the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council. The state submitted a memorandum formed after consultations with stakeholders and the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
Meghalaya told the Centre that the Bill’s provision to nominate members from unrepresented tribes is impractical given the state’s tribal diversity and could trigger competing demands from many tribes and sub-tribes. Instead, the government proposed that nominated seats be filled by persons from fields such as education, sports, administration and business, while ensuring women’s representation.
While supporting the Centre’s broader proposal to increase ADC strength, the state recommended different seat configurations for some councils: it endorsed expansion of the Khasi Hills ADC to 40 members (36 elected and four nominated), suggested limiting the Garo Hills ADC to 40 members instead of 42 (36 elected and four nominated, with at least two women), and proposed a 32‑member Jaintia Hills ADC rather than the 34 envisaged in the Bill (30 elected and two nominated, one nominee to be a woman), citing the district’s smaller population and area.
The memorandum also pressed four long-pending demands. Meghalaya urged the Centre to create an effective mechanism to check illegal immigration, asking it to examine proposals including implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and measures under the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
The state reiterated its longstanding demand to include Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, noting that the state Assembly has passed a resolution on the matter. On proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule, Meghalaya asked that any changes be carried out only after consultation with states and ADCs and after taking into account the views of all stakeholders, saying such a process would strengthen the constitutional framework for tribal areas. Finally, the government conveyed concerns from several organisations about proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and their potential impact on operations and assets of recipient institutions.
Sangma said the recommendations reflect the state’s considered position after detailed examination of the Bill and discussions with affected stakeholders.
He added that Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded positively, asking Meghalaya to send a delegation to New Delhi with detailed suggestions on FCRA amendments and to submit the state’s recommendations in writing.
The government said it will continue to pursue these four issues and press for amendments to the 125th Amendment Bill that reflect Meghalaya’s position.
