UDP shoots letter to Meghalaya CM Sangma on proposed amendment of 6th Schedule

SHILLONG:

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and president of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Metbah Lyngdoh, on Friday, said that the party has penned a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, listing some suggestions on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

In the letter, the UDP, one of the coalition partners in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), has also extended support to the recommendation of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to reduce the number of seats from the proposed 40 to 37.

The UDP, in its party meeting held on August 24, had deliberated on the issues and concerns put forth by the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) to the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC).

“The party endorses the decision of the ADCs to continue with the age-old customary laws and practices in matters of local governance and administration of the tribal people of Meghalaya," UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said.

The UDP has recommended exemption from establishing village and municipal councils in the state and added that the word "President" to be replaced with "Governor" in paragraph 12 (A) subsection (b) of the Indian Constitution to speed up the passage of bills passed by the district councils.

Earlier, KHADC had rejected the PSC’s recommendation to increase the number of seats in the ADCs to 40 stating that “the condition of our constituencies will be affected since the financial resources and revenue is very less and it will affect the salary of the Member of District Councils (MDCs)”.  

Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, after a meeting with the ADCs on August 26, had stated that the three district councils should not have more than 40 members each, depending on the population, and out of this, not more than four can be nominated members.

The recommendations also stated that Village Councils will be applicable only in Garo Hills while Village Dorbars will continue in Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Chief Minister had said that the government is set to submit the proposed recommendations to be the Center adding that “will be financially beneficial for the district councils”.

“We are hopeful that the stand of the State government commensurate with that of the ADCs and will yield positive results as per the expectations of the people of the state,” Mawthoh concluded.

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phon

ALSO WATCH: