SHILLONG, DEC 17: For the third time, the state government has decided to extend the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) by a month to enable to complete the process of elections.
The term of the GHADC is likely to expire on February next year.
“We have approved the proposal for extension of the term of the GHADC for another month,” chief minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday. He said there is certain exercise that requires to be done by the District Council Affairs (DCA) department in order to have the necessary elections to the GHADC.
“In order to process the preparation for the elections, the department felt that they will require some more time and has accordingly submitted a proposal for extension of the council’s term,” Sangma informed.
The GHADC term had already expired on February 17 last was extended as the state government wanted to complete the signing of the final peace agreement with the two rebel outfits – ANVC and ANVC.B which was disbanded recently.
However, on August this year the state government again decided to extend the term of the council for another six months saying that the seats in the district council needs to be strengthened allowing the cadres of both the outfits to participate in the upcoming elections.
But recently, the chief minister said that the election to the GHADC will be held only in the existing seats since increasing the seats in the council would require amendment of the Sixth Schedule, which is still pending before the centre.
DCA minister HDR Lyngdoh said the department will be able to complete all the election processes within one month’s time.
Meanwhile, Sangma also informed that the extension is also based on the overall discussion with the district administration and department of education and other civil society adding that the board examination is also due next year.
Sangma said keeping in mind all these factors the state government decided for the extension within which the election processes is expected to be completed.- By Our Reporter
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