Shillong, Nov 02: The opposition Congress in Meghalaya has opposed the proposal of the state government to increase the number of seats in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) from 30 to 40 in the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

It also demanded holding of special session of the Council to discuss on the change in the proposal submitted by the state government to the Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi recently.

Congress MDC from Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency, Bajop Pyngrope said that there is a need to take a collective decision by all MDCs on the matter so that it can be put forth before the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which is expected to visit the state very soon to take the views and opinions of all the stakeholders.

Pyngrope said that the committee constituted by the state government had agreed to the suggestions given by the KHADC and other stakeholders including NGOs and traditional heads that the seats in KHADC should be increased from 30 to 31 seats (29 will be elected members and two nominated members).

The committee of the state government was headed by District Council Affairs minister, James K Sangma.

After holding a meeting with all stakeholders on September 26, Sangma had informed that the committee has decided to take on board suggestions given by all the district councils and stakeholders.

“The KHADC wants that 29 members should be elected and two to be nominated out of which, one should be reserved for women,” Sangma had stated.

The committee has accordingly submitted its recommendations including deletion of the word ‘unrepresented tribes’ from the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule.

However, a delegation of the state government led by Sangma recently, submitted a proposal to the Parliamentary Standing Committee recently to increase the number of seats to 40.

At present, the KHADC has 30 members, including one nominated member.