Shillong, Dec 01: On Friday a meeting was held today between the Government of Meghalaya, members of the three Autonomous District Councils, representatives from the traditional organisations and NGO’s in the presence of the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to discuss issues pertaining to the Amendment Bill to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
During his brief address after the meeting Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed his satisfaction at the positive outcome of the meeting.
“All the concerns of different traditional organisations, the Autonomous District Councils and the State Government has been addressed in this Amendment Bill. I express my gratitude to the Ministry of home Affairs for having gone for a very wide consultation to ensure that the sentiments of the local tribal people of the different States have been incorporated in this amendment bill”, the Chief Minister added.
Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (NE), MHA, said that all the concerns of the people, the Autonomous Councils and the State Government have been addressed including issues pertaining to the Village councils and Municipal Councils.
He also said that with the Amendment, the total number of seats in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils and the Khasi Hills District Councils will be increased from the existing 30 to 40 seats of which 4 will be nominated with 2 out the 4 nominated seats being reserved for women. Similarly the seats in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council will be increased from 30 to 34 seats with 2 out of the 4 nominated seats reserved for women.
