Dima Hasao Congress observes Black Day in protest against Farm bill

HAFLONG: In protest against the imposition of Panchayati Raj System (GPDP) in Dima Hasao under Sixth Schedule area, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, the Youth Congress, Mahila Congress, and Minority Department, Dima Hasao observed black day on Friday.

They also staged dharna in front the office of the Deputy Commissioner and shouted slogans. Later, they submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal through the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao against the intended move to extend certain features of Panchayati Raj system to the Sixth Schedule areas and against the three contentious farm Bills introduced by the NDA government.

The memorandum stated that on September 25, 2019, the Chief Executive Member (CEM), North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), gave his consent for the implementation of Gaon Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) in various development blocks under the NCHAC without having due regard to the Constitutional restriction for extension of Panchayati Raj System to the Sixth Schedule areas.

The unwise action initiated by the CEM, NCHAC did not connive but stood in stark contrast with the constitutional provision as enshrined under Article 243 M (1) which provides for exemption of Schedule Areas and Tribal Areas referred to in Clause (1) and (2) of Article 244 from application of the provisions of Panchayati Raj System, stated the memorandum.

Gaon Panchayat Development Plan being a basic features of Panchayati Raj system, cannot be extended to the Sixth Schedule areas and for this reason the intended move was widely and severely opposed by all the stakeholders ranging from political parties, apex bodies, student organizations, civil societies and NGOs in all parts of the district. The protesting groups demanded to safeguard the autonomy provided under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India and urged the ruling dispensation of NCHAC to do away with the Panchayati Raj system, thereby immediately halting all functions relating to GPDP at all development blocks and thus maintaining status quo.

When the protest grew louder, the ruling dispensation was compelled to halt all activities under GPDP and consequent to which the Executive Committee (EC), NCHAC thereby issued an office memorandum and construed that a Constituency Development Plan (CDP) in lieu of GPDP would be instituted. Hence, the furtherance of opposition to GPDP was stopped forthwith. However, despite a passage of considerable lapse of time, the present EC, NCHAC is yet to bring legislation in the council session or compile a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in respect of formulation and execution of CDP. Moreover, the State department concerned has neither issued any guidelines for the same. The CDP functions without any legislation or any approved SOP.

The memorandum stated, "Having regard to the dilly-dallying tactic of the NCHAC and the State, it would not be wrong to assume that the intention to extend certain features of Panchayati Raj system to the Sixth Schedule areas is indeed being devised and in this respect the connivance of both the Council and the State cannot be ruled out. In the event of such exercise or to put into effect any unconstitutional plan to destabilize the working of NCHAC, a democratic protest will once again emerge loud and high from all corners of the district and such conspiracy will be defeated at all cost."

Extension of certain features of Panchayati Raj System to the Sixth Schedule areas will destroy the tradition of self-governance of the indigenous tribal communities which the Constitution mandates for its preservation and conservation as well. Such a move in no way will facilitate rapid development at grass roots level in the district, stated the memorandum.

With regard to the three controversial agricultural Bills which have sparked protest across the country introduced by the NDA government at the Centre, the protesters said that the government should bring a bill which ensures that private players do not procure food grains below a minimum support price (MSP) fixed by the government. The MSP has to be based on the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Committee report and the Food Corporation of India should ensure that crops are procured from the farmers at the fixed MSP.

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