Shillong Mar 29: The Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on Thursday saw the change of guard with United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Moonlight Pariat taking over as the new chief executive member (CEM), and the third member of the present Council to occupy the top post, after Thombot Shiwat and Andrew Awhai Shullai.
While Shiwat was elected as CEM after the District Council elections in 2014, Shullai replaced Shiwat last year.
Pariat, one the senior most members of the Council was elected unopposed to the post to replace Shullai, who belongs to the Congress.
The election to the CEM post was held after a no-confidence motion was moved in the House against an Executive Committee led by Shullai.
However, members of the National People’s Party (NPP) did not support the no-confidence motion.
Later, the name of Pariat as candidate for the CEM post was proposed by six members including outgoing CEM, Shullai.
Interestingly, Pariat got the support not only from members of the UDP, but Congress members as well as one BJP member.
As there was no other contender, JHADC chairman Arborhima Darnei, declared that Pariat has been elected unopposed as the new CEM of the JHADC.
The 29-member Council comprised of 10 UDP members, 10 NPP members, 8 Congress members and 1 BJP member.
While felicitating the new CEM, most members requested the new CEM to ensure completion of the Iawmusiang Shopping Complex project within his tenure.
Pariat in his speech in the House, assured of finding out ways and means to improve the functioning of the district council, which is reeling under financial crisis at present, while also assuring that he would take up the matter to ensure speedy release of the second installment for the construction of Iawmusiang Complex.
He said that once the construction of Iawmusiang Shopping Complex is completed, will also be one of the sources for revenue generation for the Council.