Review of State-Autonomous District Councils relationship sought

SHILLONG: Chief Executive Members (CEMs) of the three autonomous district councils (ADCs), namely, HS Shylla of the KHADC, M Rymbai of the JHADC and D Marak of GHADC on Thursday approached the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to seek a review on the State Government-ADC relationship.

Though, they termed the visit as a courtesy call on the Chief Minister by virtue of being from the same party (NPP), the CEM of the KHADC, H.S Shylla was candid in saying, “We urged the CM to think of a thorough review on the functioning of the district councils as well as its relation with the government”.

The financial aspect is one and the trios did not deny on the talks they had on how to financially empower the councils as per the High Court order of 1993 where the district councils should get sixty percent of the taxes from major minerals and 40 percent to the State exchequer. “So long, we are getting only 35 % of the share which is not in sync with the court order,” stated Shylla, adding, the review meeting after the State Assembly session is expected to address all those issues.

The GHADC employees have gone without salary in the past 17 months and the accumulated amount has run to Rs 80 crore.