Meghalaya: Bernard Marak Slams Congress, NPP Over Delay in Implementing Agreed Text for Settlement

CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: BJP MDC from Tura, Bernard N. Marak, has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in implementing the Agreed Text for Settlement (ATS), an agreement signed between the Centre, State, and ANVC groups during the tenure of former Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Marak pointed out that while the BJP-led central government finalized the agreement within six months of coming to power, the Congress-led state government stalled the settlement process for over a decade. He alleged that the current NPP-led government is deliberately following the same path, further delaying the implementation of the agreement, which was intended to strengthen the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) through amendments to the Sixth Schedule.

Marak accused both Congress and NPP of being "anti-tribal" and "anti-Hill people," claiming they have sabotaged the agreement signed with the BJP government while simultaneously benefiting from central funds. He emphasized that despite the agreement being signed in 2014, little progress has been made in empowering ADCs, with no transfer of the 13 designated departments, no financial support, and not even a single meeting in the past five years. He further alleged that the state government has hijacked funds meant for ADCs, channelling them into state departments instead.

According to Marak, while the agreement initially led to special financial packages for ADCs, ruling party leaders misused these funds through their contractors, leaving many projects incomplete and the councils unable to submit utilization certificates due to duplication and mismanagement. He warned that a detailed report on unfinished projects, fund misappropriation, and deliberate delays in implementation would soon be brought to the attention of central leaders. He also highlighted the long-pending 125th amendment to the Sixth Schedule, which he claims has been delayed due to the state government's reluctance.

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