SHILLONG, JULY 8: Chief Executive Members (CEMs) of six autonomous district councils from north eastern region met in Shillong Wednesday and constituted the Forum of Councils under Sixth Schedule (FOCUSS) to seek clarification from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule.
Representatives from Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) from Meghalaya, North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council, Bodo Terrritorial Council, Mizoram ADC. But the district councils of Tripura and Karbi Anglong did not attend the meeting convened by the KHADC.
The FOCUSS will be headed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM PN Syiem as its chairman, North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Council (NCHADC) CEM Debojeet Thoasen and member representatives from the different district councils.
The forum will raise issue related to the paragraph 14 (a) of the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule and Article 280 of the Constitution of India that talks about funding to the ADCs with the centre.
Syiem told reporters after the meeting, “We have resolved to seek clarification from the MHA on the paragraph 14 (a) of the proposed amendment.” According to him, this is a new provision included in the draft amendment bill 2015.
Highlighting more on this, NCHADC CEM Debojeet Thoasen said that the provision in the paragraph 14 (a) can be use for the betterment of the ADCs as well as it can also be misinterpreted and use against them.
Thoasen said, “The autonomous district councils can also be dissolved if this particular provision is not clarified. Therefore, we need more clarity on this view to ensure that the interest of the district councils in the region are safeguarded as it can have a negative impact for the future autonomy of the district councils.”
MHA has brought out a draft bill which proposes to amend Article 280 of the Constitution for augmenting the consolidated fund of the state of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to supplement the resources of the autonomous district councils.
Welcoming this proposal of the MHA, Syiem said, “We have also decided to urge the centre to adopt a system for direct funding to the ADCs.” According to him, the meeting has expressed its concern on the non-allocation of funds to the ADCs in the recommendation of the 14thFinance Commission.
“Therefore we have also resolved to meet the Ministry of Finance and submit a memorandum to ensure that the ADCs gets funding as per 13th Finance Commission,” Syiem said adding “We have also suggested an annual special package for the sixth schedule areas.”
Syiem also said the forum will urge the MHA to constitute a committee for amendment of the Sixth Schedule which will include all the ADCs from the NE region. He said, “This is in view of the fact that issue was raised that the ministry has failed to take the views and suggestions of the ADCs into consideration while coming up with the final draft amendment of the Sixth Schedule.”
The CEMs have decided to urge the centre to come up with a separate Ministry for development of the ADCs under the Sixth Schedule. “The demand for separate ministry for ADCs is to ensure that the focus is being made for the development and strengthening of the different district councils in the region.”
The meeting also sought deletion of Paragraph 12 (a) of the Sixth Schedule. Syiem said, “We will request the centre for removing of this paragraph which is at present applicable in Meghalaya.”- By Our Reporter
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