ADCs ask govt to release mineral royalty share as per Court’s ruling

SHILLONG, SEPT 6: The three autonomous district councils (ADCs) in the state today asked the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to consider releasing the royalty shares on major minerals to the district councils as per ruling of the High Court.

This was expressed by the chief executive members of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council during a meeting with the chief minister Conrad K Sangma here on Thursday.

The three autonomous district councils are also presently having executive committees led by the National People’s Party (NPP).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, KHADC chief Hispreaching Son Shylla said that the joint delegation of the three CEMs have raised the issue before the chief minister during their courtesy visit following his landslide victory in the just concluded South-Tura by poll.

“We have submitted the ruling passed by the High Court in 1993 where it has ordered that the share on royalty should be 60 per cent for the ADC and 40 per cent for the state government,” he said.

According to him, as of now the royalty share being released is only 25 per cent for the district councils and 75 per cent for the state government.

Asked, Shylla also an NPP MDC from Nongkrem constituency however said, “The CM told us that he would go through the ruling of the high court but he did not give any assurance on the matter.”

On the other hand, the KHADC chief also informed that the joint delegation has also stressed on the need for a thorough review on the functioning of the district councils and their relationship with the state government.

“The chief minister has agreed to have the review meeting after the upcoming Assembly session is over,” he said.

Meanwhile with regards to the various Bills of the three district councils that are lying pending for assent of the governor, Shylla said that the particular issue would also be raised during the proposed review meeting.

By Our Reporter