KHADC suggests Centre to extend 11th Schedule to Meghalaya

Shillong, Dec 11: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has suggested the Centre to extend the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution in Meghalaya to facilitate the formation of local self government under the Council.

This came in the wake of the Centre’s decision to implement the scheme “my village my development plan” through the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the state.

Meghalaya was exempted from the Panchayati Raj system.

During the meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) of the KHADC on Tuesday, the issue was discussed at length.

KHADC chief executive member, H S Shylla said that the Executive Committee felt that the Ministry Panchayati Raj was trying to enter into the state through “backdoor” that is through the Ministry of Rural Development by asking state to implement the “my village my development plan.”

The KHADC would also meet Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma and seek clarification as to why the state government has bypassed the Council in connection with the scheme.

“Every village has to elect the Gram Sabha for the implementation of the scheme (my village my development plan) which is being routed directly through the respective Community and Rural development (C&RD) Blocks in the state,” Shylla said.

He said that the scheme also stated that any adult persons above 18 years, can elect the Gram Sabha which means even non-tribals can participate in such election process.

Opposing any attempt to introduce the Panchayati Raj system in the state, Shylla said, “If the Centre is showing interest in implementing this scheme, then it should also consider extending the Eleventh Schedule to Meghalaya.”

“This schedule contains 29 subjects which cover important topics like Panchayat’s powers, rural development, poverty alleviation, market, roads and drinking water,” Shylla said, adding that out 29 subjects mentioned in the Eleventh Schedule, only the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) is being implemented in Meghalaya which relates to poverty alleviation.

Shylla said that it would be fair if all the 29 subjects are given so that local self government can be formed under the control of the Council.

He informed that the Council had also passed a Bill relating to this in 2006, but the Bill is pending till today.