Govt barred from interfering in ADC affairs: Bernard

In a statement, Marak said, “They are barred by the High Court through an order in 2002 passed by the Gauhati High Court AIR 64(69) on Sixth Schedule and role of the state government and Council of Ministers.”

He said that the order ruled that “The whole of the Sixth Schedule nowhere provides for any role to be played by the state government. Duty has been cast upon the Governor to deal with the affairs of the Autonomous District Council independent of the control of the State Government. The Council of Ministers of a State has not been assigned any supervisory role as it would mean disappearance of the Autonomous Status of the Tribal areas”.

Marak said it is very unfortunate that State Government still think they can do anything in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) which is very wrong as people do not believe the lies told to them. Garos cannot be fooled nor threatened when it comes to tribal rights.

“The blood of the martyrs through whom Garos established themselves as Hill Tribals still runs in the veins of every true warrior. Little do the political leaders realise that Garos are well aware of their rights now and are determined to fight for the rights of the people,” he added.

Stating that talks is the need of the hour, the BJP leader said that the new CEM should face the agitating NGOs instead of staying holed up in the political safe house in Shillong.

“Clear the doubts of the people and face them else resign. All should unite and refrain from deteriorating the situation in Garo Hills,” he said.

Marak, also a former leader of the disbanded ANVC.B, further alleged that in past many years, State Government violated the order of the High Court mostly in the case of GHADC that’s why the MDCs think on the line of politics rather than their origin.

“Virtue of tribalism is lost as politics took over which is not right in the case of ADCs. Political intervention continuously shattered the unique fabrication of the Tribal Autonomy of the Garos and GHADC is merely seen as a struggling institution,” he said.

He also alleged that the Ministers through their MDCs in Garo Hills manipulated and changed the Hill provisions of the Sixth Schedule into non Hill provisions which diluted everything our forefathers fought and died for.

“The political leaders diluted the Autonomous powers of GHADC by interfering in ADC’s independent functioning and left the Councils in debt. State took over most of the departments even to the extend of introducing Municipality in Tribal lands after changing the Hill provisions which violates the Article 243 ZC of the Indian Constitution. State also manipulated funds meant for the development of the tribal constituencies,” he added.

The BJP MDC alleged that the state had taken away funds meant for rural development and misappropriated funds meant for tribal upliftment which is evident in implementation of Rs 100.73 crore of which 40% benefited the political party which led the Executive Committee in GHADC.

“Even today, the tied funds sanctioned under 15 finance is taken away by the State Government and the political leaders are asking 10% to release an amount not less than 59 crore which was sanctioned by the Centre Government for GHADC. There are many other cases which is an open secret in Garo Hills which is seen in the expression of the public and NGOs. State’s direct and indirect interference in the matters of the Autonomous District Council have left GHADC high and dry,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marak slammed the state government for “intentionally” delaying the reforms on dilution of funds to the Autonomous District Councils through provisions of an agreement signed between the Centre Government, State Government and the two groups of ANVC.

“(This is) because state do not want Councils to be strengthened, Autonomous and  independent which is very wrong and should be realised by the political leaders that ADCs are Autonomous institutions meant to safeguard the Hill tribals not the political parties,” he said while challenging that he will be very happy to face the state representatives for an open debate if state is not convinced.

By Our Reporter