5 to 1: ADCs favored by most panelists

SHILLONG, FEB 8: It is time for Meghalaya to abolish its Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) noted social activist Michael Syiem said  during a panel discussion  on “Community no longer needs the District Councils” organized by Mawphor on Saturday as part of its silver jubilee celebration.

Syiem said that there are too many existing governance bodies that lead to conflict of powers and functions which in turn only aggravate the problems faced by the people of the state.

“I agree that we needed the district councils when Meghalaya was under Assam government but now it is time to do away with the ADCs in the state,” Syiem, who is also the convener of Maitshaphrang Movement and Meghalaya Right To Information Movement (MRTIM) said.

The other panelists who also took part in the panel discussion are former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong representing the United Democratic Party (UDP), KHADC Congress chief executive member (CEM) Pynshngainlang N Syiem, Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) Nongkrem legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MDC Adilbert Nongrum and Social Organizations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) convener W Anthony.

Advocating that less of government is the best government, Syiem pointed out that in Meghalaya there exist different governments. “We have the state government, the district councils, the Syiems, Himas, Sordars and other traditional bodies which all claimed of serving the welfare of the ‘jaidbynriew’ (community). However with so many layers of governance instead of addressing core issues it has only aggravated the problems faced by our state.”

Syiem also quoted Bindo Lanong, who was also former MDC of KHADC, who had said that if the para 12 A of Sixth Schedule of Constitution continue to exist, it is useless to have the district councils.

Disagreeing with the views put forth by Syiem, the other five panelists instead emphasized the need to strengthen the functioning of the ADCs in the state.

“The District Council is a constitutional body to protect and preserve the lands, culture and tradition beside the interests of the indigenous people of the state and to say that we need to abolish it, it will only pose serious threat to the people and their land,” Lanong said.

Similar issues was raised in the past, Lanong informed, saying that the 1984- Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Chief Justice SK Dutta has stated in its report that if the district council which symbolizes the decentralization of power are abolish, some other types of local organizations may be instituted to assist the state government.

Stressing on the need to further strengthen the district council, Nongkrem legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit said that the need of the hour is to educate the electorate to elect the right representatives who have the heart to serve the people.

KHADC CEM PN Syiem said that the proposed Land Bill of the District Council is important to protect tribal lands in the state.

Informing that the council could not pass the Land Bill as it was turned down by the Governor, Syiem said, “That is the reason why, the council proposed amendments to the centre on the need to exempt a number of subjects (includes land) from the purview of the para 12 A of the sixth schedule of the constitution.”

Sitting MDC from Jaiaw, Adilbert Nongrum was of the opinion that it is time to revisit the past and consider the need to bifurcate the powers between the district council and the state government in order to avoid conflicts.- By Our Reporter