SHILLONG, APR 8: Union minister of state for Panchayati Raj Nihal Chand Meghwal on Wednesday informed that the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Meghalaya would be getting fund of Rs 4,500 crore from the centre.
In his maiden visit to the state, Meghwal told reporters, “Meghalaya will get around Rs 4, 500 crore from the centre.” He said the union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased the funding from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.
Meghwal, however, failed to explain as to how Meghalaya is going to benefit from the proposed increase of funding.
Meghwal statement gains significance as the district councils in Meghalaya are facing huge financial crunch after the 14thFinance Commission made zero recommendations for funding to them.
The state has three councils – Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Meghwal reviewed the district councils in the state during his Wednesday visit. A meeting with the officials of the state government as well as members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) was also convened by Meghwal at Pinewood Hotel.
Earlier, Meghwal also met the leaders and functionaries of the BJP Meghalaya state unit.
Meghwal said, “My intention to visit the state was to discuss the issue related to development, its requirement besides the progress made by the state in as far as development is concern.”
In Meghalaya, there is no Panchayati Raj system in the state since the ADCs exits as per the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Asked on the purpose of his visit to a non-panchayati raj state, Meghwal, said, “I prefer the word Panchayati Raj,” adding “In Meghalaya, it is called as district councils, but we call it as Panchayati Raj only.”
Meghwal said his purpose of visiting the state is to review the panchayati raj system besides further strengthening it and also to see that various development programmes taken up and the support required from the centre.”
Meghwal said, “My main intention is to see how Meghalaya has developed.”
On enquired whether there was any move to dissolve the ADCs in Meghalaya in the wake of the 14th Finance Commission failure to recommend funding to them, Meghwal, however, brushed such apprehension and said that there is no such plan on the part of the centre.
Meghwal said that the union government would not like to abolish the district councils and this issue is a state subject and he has come here to discuss the issue related to development.- By Our Reporter
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