‘Consensus’ missing over Sixth Schedule

SHILLONG, SEPT 8: The attempt to bring in a “collective opinion” on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India has failed after the 3 tribal district councils and the stakeholders decided to submit separate memorandums on the matter.

The decision was taken a meeting held between the three autonomous district councils (ADCs) and different organizations including NGOs and traditional bodies held at the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC)’s conference hall here on Friday.

Earlier, a sub-committee was constituted by the KHADC recently for the purpose of a drafting a common memorandum to be submitted to both the Centre and state governments after taking the views and opinions of all stakeholders into considerations.

However in today’s meeting, it was decided that separate memorandums will be submitted by the three ADCs – KHADC, JHADC and GHADC – and the stakeholders but on condition that the points in the proposals should be in line with each other.

The decision was taken while taking into account that the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCRM), a conglomeration of NGOs, traditional headmen and others, is already in the final stage of submitting its memorandum to the Centre.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem said, “We have to a conclusion that all memorandums to be submitted by the movement (MITCRM) and other NGOs should also be shared with the ADCs and the state government.”

“This is to ensure that the points raised by the stakeholders are also included in the memorandums of the ADCs to be submitted to the central government and the state government. It (memorandum) will also have the same opinion,” he said.

He said the meeting also resolved that all the memorandums drafted should be in line on what to be proposed by the three district councils of the state.

According to him, in the next meeting to further discuss on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule, the different views raised by the stakeholders will again be deliberated for incorporation in the memorandums of the district councils.

Syiem further maintained that the meeting also unanimously decided to stick on the Annexed Agreement (AA) for the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule.

Meanwhile, some of the leaders of the NGOs have expressed their reservation on the decision taken by the meeting held today on ground that a collective voice is required to go to the Centre on the matter.

By Our Reporter