Shillong, November 16: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India while preparing to amend the Sixth Schedule is also awaiting the views and recommendations from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in view of the recommendations and directive from the National Commission for Tribal Affairs.
This was stated by Shri. Shambhu Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, on 16th November 2012, in his official chambers in Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, in an hour long discussion with Shri. John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MIDC, & Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States.
The Joint Secretary, MHA, stated that MHA has received a number of memorandums from various levels and sections relating to the need to look into the present provisions of the Sixth Schedule to respond to the various issues and challenges facing the North East region and Meghalaya in particular.
Mr. John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, while handing over a copy of the memorandum submitted to UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, on June 9th 2012, and Shri. V Kishore Chandra Deo, MP Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, Union Minister urged the MHA to initiate steps to resolve and fulfill the commitments made in the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement 17, August 1948.
The need to complete the major critical bridges located at River Prang(Sangkhat, Jaliakhola, to Hurio), River Umngot(existing Pamshutia-Dawki Road), River Umngot at Dawki, River Piyan at Pyrdiwah, River Khasmar (at Hat Thymmai), River Tharia, River Khasimara (at Hat Mawdon), and to urgently complete Shella Bridge at Shella, to enable the people living along the Indo-Bangladesh along Meghalaya to move along the Meghalaya Border as there were serious challenges due to the hostile terrain where the landscape altitude is from 25 feet to 3497 feet above mean sea level, added with deep gorges and wide span rivers. On informing about the incomplete Shella Bridge which has already incurred an expenditure of Rs 4crores, the Joint Secretary was surprised as to the inaction of the departments in ‘blacklisting’ the contractors and should debar them or their associates from further contracts.
On the matter of opening more traditional tribal border hats (markets) the Joint Secretary informed that MHA is in favors of opening a few more and is discussing the matter with the concerned Commerce Ministry and MEA. The Chairman Grand Council of Chiefs informed that as of now only two Border Hats have been officially opened, but there were more than 38 to 40 border hats located within the Indian border and which when opened would uplift the economic condition of the people on both sides of the border.
He also urged the MHA to consider providing proper infrastructure at these strategic locations such as Hat Majai under Sohra Syiemship where 500 to 700 trucks ply every day exporting mineral resources under very difficult road or infrastructural conditions there were no proper housing, wear houses or cold storage facilities for the traditional tribal border hats.(SP News)
