Shillong, October 3: Moonlight Pariat, a member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) representing 19–South Jowai, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing the need to address restrictions on district council powers, delays in development funding and livelihood concerns linked to coal mining in Jaintia Hills.
Speaking at the programme welcoming him into the party, Pariat thanked the BJP leadership for accepting him and called for collective efforts to strengthen the organisation and serve the people.
He said elected representatives must prioritise public welfare, attributing his continued presence in the district council to the trust of his constituents. Pariat said he had been elected for six consecutive terms and was now in his 27th year in the council.
However, he expressed concern that the constitutional status of autonomous district councils had not translated into sufficient authority and financial resources to meet public expectations.
Pariat specifically highlighted Paragraph 12A of the Sixth Schedule, which governs the application of laws in Meghalaya’s autonomous districts and regions. He argued that the provision restricted the effective functioning of district councils.
Under Paragraph 12A(a), Meghalaya state laws prevail over conflicting district council laws on specified subjects, to the extent of the inconsistency. Paragraph 12A(b), meanwhile, empowers the President to direct, through a public notification, that an Act of Parliament shall not apply to an autonomous district or region in Meghalaya, or shall apply with specified exceptions or modifications.
Pariat called for changes to strengthen the functioning of autonomous district councils, noting that efforts to secure amendments to the Sixth Schedule had continued for years without delivering the desired results.
He said joining the BJP would provide him with an opportunity to raise these concerns with the party’s central leadership and seek greater attention to the challenges faced by the councils.
The JHADC member also raised concerns over delays in the release of grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission, stating that such delays affected the implementation of development programmes and the delivery of benefits to constituents.
The Finance Commission’s main award covered the 2021–26 period, following a separate award for 2020–21. In Meghalaya, rural local body grants under the framework also covered the three eligible autonomous district councils — Khasi, Garo and Jaintia.
On November 12, 2024, the Union government announced the release of ₹27 crore as Meghalaya’s first instalment of untied grants for 2021–22. On February 20, 2026, a further ₹27 crore was announced as the second instalment for the same financial year. Both amounts covered the three eligible councils collectively and were not exclusive to JHADC.
Untied grants are intended to support local development needs, subject to applicable guidelines, but cannot be used for salaries or establishment expenses. Tied grants are earmarked for sanitation, waste management, drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
Comparing the councils’ situation to being given a vehicle without fuel, Pariat said constitutional authority alone was insufficient without the financial resources required to carry out development work.
He urged party leaders, ministers and elected representatives to work together to strengthen the autonomous district councils and ensure that public representation resulted in tangible benefits for the people.
Pariat also spoke about coal mining restrictions and their impact on livelihoods in Jaintia Hills. Recalling his visits to villages, he described the difficult living conditions faced by some families, including households living in houses with leaking roofs.
He said he intended to work with BJP leaders to bring these concerns before the Central Government and seek solutions to the challenges affecting local communities.
Pariat maintained that his decision to join the BJP was guided by his commitment to public service and his determination to address longstanding issues concerning district council autonomy, development funding and livelihoods. He concluded by assuring party members of his cooperation and calling for closer coordination to strengthen the organisation and improve people’s lives.
