Shillong November 17: The issue of extension of 10th Schedule to the three Autonomous District Councils and the matter where an MDC could also hold the post of MLA was also discussed and was a priority matter for the Ministry of Home Affair (MHA) to bring in amendments was discussed at length during the discussions.
The MHA official was shocked to learn that 39 Executive Committees have been formed in a span of 60 years in the KHADC and where the Executive Committee lasted for a period of a little over a year only due to constant defections…which has seriously hampered and affected the functioning of the ADCs in Meghalaya
In the discussion the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, (GOI) 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.
Shri. 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.(SP News)
