Shillong, Feb 9: The People’ Democratic Front (PDF) on Friday released its manifesto. The newly formed party wants to strengthen the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and follow the provisions of the Sixth Schedule on mining instead of the Central law if it comes to power. The manifesto released by PDF’s chief ministerial candidate, Pynshngain N Syiem, stressed the need by the State to formulate a mining policy as per the provision of the Sixth Schedule. According to Syiem, the Minerals Development Corporation (MMDC) Act will create problems on land holding systems in the State but the Sixth Schedule provision will be as per the practice and traditions of the people. The party also seeks to resolve the age-old boundary dispute with Assam by taking into consideration the provision of the Sixth Schedule and North Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act. Syiem said that only discussing the issue with Assam will not be enough but there is a need to collect documents to substantiate that the disputed areas belong to Meghalaya. “The State government in fact needs to work hand in hand with the traditiol heads for preparing these documents,” he said, while adding that adequate infrastructure is also needed in the border areas.
