KHADC for eleventh schedule in the state

This came in the wake of the Centre’s decision to implement the scheme “my village my development plan” through the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the state, which have been exempted from the Panchayati Raj system.

The issue was also discussed at length during the meeting of the Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA)-led executive committee (EC) in the KHADC held in the city here on Tuesday.

Council’s chief Hispreaching Son Shylla after chairing the meeting told reporters that the executive committee felt that the Ministry Panchayati Raj is trying to enter into the state through the “backdoor” which is the Ministry of Rural Development.

He said this is because every village has to elect the Gram Sabha for the implementation of the scheme “my village my development plan” which is presently being routed directly through the respective community and rural development (C&RD) blocks in the state.

Moreover, this scheme however stated that any adult persons who are above 18 years can elect the Gram Sabha which means even non-tribals can participate in such election process, Shylla added.

Stating that the Council strongly oppose the attempt to introduce the Panchayati Raj system in the state, Shylla however said, “If the Centre is showing so much interest in implementing this scheme, then we would suggest that it also consider extending the Eleventh Schedule in the state.”

This schedule contains 29 subjects which cover important topics such as Panchayat’s powers, rural development, poverty alleviation, market, roads and drinking water etc.

He pointed out that as of now out of 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule, only one relating to poverty alleviation is being implemented in Meghalaya which is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

“Therefore it would be fair that all the 29 subjects are extended to us so that we can form the local self government which will be under the control of the Council,” he said while informing that a Bill relating to this was passed by the Council in 2006 and is still lying pending till today.

Meanwhile, the chief executive member further informed that the executive committee has also decided to soon meet the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to seek clarification as to why the state government had bypassed the Council with regards to the scheme.

By Our Reporter