Shillong Dec 6: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member, H.S. Shylla has accused the Central government of making attempt to indirectly introduce the Panchayati Raj system in Meghalaya through its scheme called, “my village my development plan”.

Dorbar Shnongs have already sought a clarification on the recent direction of the Community and Rural Development (C&RD) blocks to form the Gram Sabha committees for availing the scheme.

The scheme ‘my village my development plan’ is being implemented directly by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Shylla termed the move as nothing but an attempt to indirectly introduce the Panchayati Raj system in tribal villages in Meghalaya.

“Though the Council has not received any official communication from the state government in this regard, but we knew about it from the traditional heads in his Nongkrem constituency,” Shylla said while stating that the Council would strongly oppose the move as it appears that the Centre wanted to win the people by pumping funds through such a scheme.

KHADC executive member in-charge Land, Mines & Minerals, Latiplang Kharkongor said that the scheme was introduced despite the fact that Meghalaya have been exempted from the Panchayati Raj system.

“Such move only seeks to dilute the traditional institutions under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. What is more worrying is that, the status of the Sarpan (head) of the Gram Sabha is equal to that of a Rangbah Shnong. Elections of the Gram Sabha will be also held and this will later open up opportunity for people from other tribes to demand for their rights to be part of the committee,” he said.

He however warned if such schemes are allowed to be implemented in the state the powers of the traditional institutions will no doubt be diluted.