Shillong, Aug 28: Indifferent to the demands of political parties, including its ally the BJP, that wants the much delayed elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council take place within this year, the state government is moving for another round of extension.
The tenure of two councils in the state- Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC, JHADC) had ended last year but the state gave a six-month extension to both. This extension was due to expire on September 5th, this year. The BJP has been vocal against the extension and called for timely polls.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA) Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday announced in the house that matters pertaining to holding elections of the three autonomous district councils (ADCs) and their probable dates were under examination.
With the current extension coming to a close within a week, the government is giving a second lease of life (6 months) to both the KHADC and JHADC.
Recruitment exams to ADCs to be mandatory
On queries by opposition members seeking transparency in the recruitment to posts in the ADCs, where accusations of nepotism and corruption have often surfaced in the past, Tynsong, in his reply, said that the issue for making recruitment and exams compulsory in the three ADCs is already under examination to ensure transparency and accountability.
He also said that a proposal to enhance revenue generation among the three autonomous district councils is also under a review.
Expert Committee to process ADC bills
An Experts committee, constituted way back in September 2023, has been tasked with coordinating the processing of all Bills sent to the Governor of Meghalaya for his assent, as well as sorting out any issues that may arise.
Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong cited the rising number of bills held back in the District Council Affairs department of the state due to errors in drafting, having conflict with state laws or constitutional provisions. The committee is headed by the secretary, DCA and includes officials from the law department and officials from the ADCs.
“There are 6 bills passed by the KHADC, 1 by GHADC and 2 by JHADC, that are still languishing in the DCA department and the cabinet due to these issues,” informed Tynsong.
GHADC highest number of staff, KHADC lowest
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) which generates the largest revenue among the three autonomous councils, ironically has the lowest number of employees- a total staff strength of only 818 personnel.
On the contrary, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), which has the lowest revenue generation among the ADCs has the highest number of employees- a whooping 1397 personnel.
The Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) comes close behind the GHADC with 1161 staff.
Local dialect during Swear-ins
On the need to allow use of local language during swearing in for the new ADCs, Tynsong, in his reply, tabled before the Assembly that Rule 37 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 (Amended) provides that a member may address the Council in any of the languages spoken in the area over which the District Council exercises jurisdiction or in any recognized language of the State.
