Shillong, Sept 20: Congress leader and former legislator, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh on Friday alleged that the Centre is making a move to amend the Six Schedule of the Constitution by bringing in Panchayati Raj-like system in Meghalaya.

Quoting media reports, Lyngdoh told reporters that the Centre wanted to amend the 6th schedule by bringing in the Panchayat Raj-like system.

“We oppose this because it is against our existing system of local-self governance, administration and practices already envisaged in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,” Lyngdoh said.

He said that the Central government led by the then Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi had exempted Meghalaya from the ambit of Panchayati Raj.

Meghalaya has three autonomous district councils created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

“If it is on the basis of giving direct funding, that should be within the frame work of Sixth Schedule and not by bringing in the Panchayati Raj system since we already have our own existing system within the Sixth Schedule. We cannot allow dilution of Sixth Schedule which has been there to protect the indigenous people. If required for providing direct funding to the district councils, it should be within the Sixth Schedule not under Panchayati Raj system,” Lyngdoh said.

On this, Lyngdoh alleged that the BJP-led NDA government has many hidden agendas, and this could be one.

“Diluting the Sixth Schedule will endanger the indigenous people,” he said, adding that the Congress will oppose this and will not allow dilution of existing system of local governance, administration and practices.