Guv Paul seeks clarity on ADC delimitation bill

***Meghalaya district council affairs minister HDR Lyngdoh meeting Governor KK Paul in the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. Pix by WT Lytan***

SHILLONG, OCT 15: Meghalaya governor KK Paul has sought for more clarity on the Amendment Bill of Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of District Council) (Amendment) Rules, 2013 seeking the delimitation of the constituencies passed by the KHADC earlier this year.

Paul asked the Meghalaya district council affairs minister HDR Lyngdoh who met him at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. Lyngdoh met Paul along with the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of KHADC Pynshngainlang N Syiem.

“We have been asked to submit the clarification on the proposed implementation of the delimitation bill,” Lyngdoh told reporters after the meeting.

Lyngdoh said that the governor wanted to know whether the delimitation of constituencies can be done for only one autonomous district council (ADC) or the matter is applied for all the three ADCs. He informed that the district council affairs department will furnish all the required information to the governor at the earliest.

The delimitation bill was passed by the KHADC on July 5 this year and is still awaiting the governor’s assent before it can be implemented in the forthcoming District Council elections in the state.

“Though, the bill is yet to get the approval but it is still under consideration of the Governor,” Lyngdoh stated.

Paul had earlier suggested the DCA to issue some advisory to all the three ADCs on the need to constitute the Delimitation Committees. However, the KHADC who had already passed the bill during its session wanted the governor to give assent to the bill.

The autonomous district councils of Jaintia and Garo hills have constituted their respective delimitation committees but are yet to pass any bill to delimit their constituencies.

“The two ADCs have constituted the delimitation committee and have already started conducting public hearings,” Lyngdoh informed.

Stating that though there is no provision for constituting of the delimitation committee under the sixth scheduled of the Indian constitution, Lyngdoh however said, “But in the spirit of democracy, there is a felt need to have a delimitation committee in place.”- By Our Reporter