Shillong, May 25: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government was asked to take the three autonomous district councils into consideration before finalising its proposal to be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

This suggestion came during a discussion on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule which was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Joint Secretary (North East) Satyendra Garg, members of the three Autonomous District Councils – Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), and representatives of various organizations.

KHADC chief executive member, P.N. Syiem said that it was suggested that the ADCs should be taken into consideration on the issue because no discussion has been held between the state government and the district councils till date on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule.

He said that issues which include the need to increase the number of seats in the ADCs as well as include the councils under Article 280 of the Constitution were discussed.

The meeting also proposed that two members should be included in the state finance commission from the ADCs and the term ‘village council’ should be known as ‘village dorbar’.

Meanwhile the MHA official said that the point of view of the people, the state government and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Meghalaya would be kept in mind in connection with the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.

The meeting was held after chief minister, Conrad K. Sangma, urged the Centre last month to send some MHA officials to the state to hear views and suggestions of the stakeholders on the proposed amendment.

Stating that amendment to the Sixth Schedule is very important especially when the entire Meghalaya is under Sixth Schedule, Garg said that whatever suggestions put forth by the state government, the ministry wanted to be very sure as to what exactly it is meant on every rules and sub rules.

“We have discussed and could finalize most of the things. We will take all these discussions back to our ministry and we will be able to finalize the amendment,” Garg said.

He said that some amendment is required to the Sixth Schedule including Article 280 of the Constitution and different paragraphs of the Sixth Schedule.

“We will keep the point of view of the people of Meghalaya, the state government and district councils and move forward with the amendment by keeping the ground reality in mind,” the MHA official stated.

Asked about the views of the government and ADCs, Garg said, the three councils and the state government were on board on many issues except in one or two, and views of the state government were based on views of the Councils too.

“In almost all issues, they have identical views except on strengthening of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council. The council has different views, and the government got different views and we will take a call on this,” he said.