Shillong, Sep 12: The state government is committed to empowering the three autonomous district councils (ADCs) and has been pursuing Centre for the passage of 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA) Prestone Tynsong told the Assembly on Thursday.
“The Chief Minister has on a number of occasions met the Union Home Minister requesting for the early passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019,” Tynsong said while replying to a query by leader of opposition Mukul Sangma.
The LoP called for pursuing the Centre to amend Article 280 to empower the Union Finance Commission to recommend measures to augment the Consolidated Fund of the state to supplement the resources of the ADCs.
Tynsong assured that the state government is committed to fulfilling its constitutional mandate to operationalise the State Finance Commission once the amendment comes into force.
He informed that in its submission to the 16th Finance Commission, which visited Meghalaya, has recommended to continue the approach of the 15th Finance Commission by recommending grants to ADCs.
“The state government has also recommended to the 16th Finance Commission, flexibility in the planning and allow the use of Untied grants for subjects under the 6th Schedule and not limited to the 11th Schedule. This will enable ADCs to carry out their diverse functions,” Tynsong said.
He cited recommendations of various Finance Commissions, including the Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fifteenth Finance Commissions, which have acknowledged the exemption of Meghalaya from the purview of State Finance Commissions (SFCs).
Tynsong stated that the state government has clarified to the 15th Finance Commission that the recommendations regarding SFCs do not extend to Meghalaya.
Referring to Meghalaya State Finance Commission Act, 2012, enacted despite constitutional exemption, he said, “the Act remains unnotified and operationally dormant”.
On the proposed amendment to Article 280(3) of the Constitution, he said it is a welcome provision for the ADCs and will ensure higher devolution of resources.
Satisfied with the reply, leader of opposition also announced his decision to withdraw the resolution before it was put to vote in the House.
