HS Shylla elected unopposed as new KHADC chief

**Members of the KHDA escorting NPP member from Nongkrem HS Shylla to the chair after he was elected as new KHADC chief on Friday**

SHILLONG, JULY 13: NPP member from Nongkrem Hispreaching Son Shylla was today elected unopposed as the new chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) for the second time even as he assured that the KHDA-led EC will not touch the issue of uranium mining.

This was after the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate and PDF member from Nongskhen Grace Mary Khapuri did not turn up during the election for the post of the CEM held here on Friday.

The election was necessitated after former KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem tendered his resignation letter from the post before the start of the emergent session held earlier on Tuesday after 17 members withdrew their support to the PDA-led EC.

Interestingly, none of the members from both the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and Congress attended the election, which the Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA) alleged that the reason was out of fear to accept defeat.

Quoting the rules, the Pro-tem chairman Teilinia Thangkhiew said, “I hereby declare that HS Shylla has been elected as the new CEM since the PDA candidate (Kharpuri) is absent, it shall be taken that she has withdrawn her candidature.”

Members of the KHDA which comprises from the NPP (4), UDP (5), PDF (3), HSPDP (3), and Independent also participated in the felicitation ceremony as they expressed confidence on the leadership of Shylla as a leader with wealth of experiences.

The NPP member, who first got elected in 1984, was also a former KHADC chief executive member from July 28, 2004 to February 5, 2008, and a former minister of the state.

Addressing the House as the newly elected chief, Shylla assured that the KHDA-led executive committee under his leadership will ensure the uranium mining is not allowed and will not go against the wish of the people.

“We will also pass an official resolution to ensure no executive committee can take any decision relating to this matter (uranium mining) without the consent of the House. We will also request the state government to adopt similar resolution in the Assembly,” he said.

Referring to the allegations that the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) had deposited Rs 20 crore in his personal bank account when he was the CEM in 2004, he said, “The CBI inquiry in its report had found out nothing as alleged but nobody is willing to accept this fact.”

He said that the amount of Rs 20 crore for construction of Wahkaji road was not included in the Council’s budget and was deposited in the joint account between the UCIL and KHADC officials in order to prevent diversion of fund.

Stating that he is committed to root out corruption in the Council, Shylla said, “I assured that there will be transparency in the functioning of the new executive committee. I will not sign any letter to drop EM as I would rather step down myself.”

He recalled that during his term as CEM in the previous EC, he had ordered auctioning of defective vehicles after billing was submitted without actually repairing these vehicles and said, “In this way, I will again streamline the functioning of the district council.”

Shylla said that the Council also opened and closed in time (10am to 5pm) and action will be taken against officers and staff who are misusing the office for gambling and drinking adding “They (staff) should also respect all the elected members of the House.”

Spelling out his other priorities, he said that his executive committee will speed up the process of coming up with the Council’s building byelaws besides the need to codify the customary laws and practices of the different Himas under its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the new chief executive member has also asked people who are taking the surnames of their fathers should immediately take corrective measures to avoid confusion.

“It is a serious concern for our matrilineal society as there are more than 50,000 people who are taking their fathers’ surnames. We urged them to take corrective measures,” he said.

Asked, Shylla informed reporters that he would immediately submit the list of executive members for approval of the Governor tomorrow.

It may be mentioned here that the election to the CEM post had to be postponed yesterday after the sudden resignation of the KHADC chairman LG Nongsiej from the post.

By Our Reporter