Shillong, Apr 16: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma assured that his government would work in ensuring that equality is maintained with regards to extending financial support to the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in the state.

Conrad was replying on behalf of the district council affairs (DCA) minister James K Sangma during question hour in Assembly here on Monday.

James was not in the Assembly as he has to accompany the Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu who visited state and attended the 9th Convocation of IIM Shillong.

The Chief Minister made this statement in the House after Independent MLA from Mawphlang, Syntar Klas Sunn pointed out that the proposal of the GHADC was approved by the State government for releasing the pension liability of ex-MDCs, whereas the government asked the KHADC to meet the payment for the same from royalty shares.

Conrad informed that the pension liability of ex-MDCs of the GHADC for the year 2013-14 was approved through the grant-in-aid of the state government. An amount of Rs 2.5 crore was sanctioned on July 31, 2013, he said.

However the KHADC proposed Rs 5.39 crore as one time financial assistance in which the DCA department on January 7, 2014 advised that the same be utilized from shares on royalty released by the State government to the KHADC from time to time.

“The government then was not able to extend the financial assistance required by the KHADC so they have no other choice but to meet (the payment of pension to ex-MDCs) from the royalty share,” Conrad said.

Meanwhile, the chief minister informed that the state government is still finding ways to help the GHADC clear the 14 months pending salary to its employees.