UDP releases manifesto for elections to KHADC, JHADC

Shillong, Feb 11: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Monday released its manifesto for the elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council and assured to streamline rules and regulations of the Councils while also ensuring transparency in the functioning of the two district councils.

After releasing the manifesto, UDP senior working president Bindo M Lanong told reporters that the party if elected to power, would ensure good governance and make the autonomous district councils free from corruption.

The KHADC and JHADC will go to elections on February 27.

The UDP has also pledged to oppose uranium mining and mining of other minerals should be regulated as per law.

Assuring good governance, Lanong said that in the past, Executive Committees led by the UDP have been able to ensure that the district councils are free from corruption.

Lanong alleged that the previous Executive Committees have misused ‘loopholes’ in the rules which led to loss of revenue.

In the manifesto, the UDP also assured to push for introduction of the anti-defection law in the autonomous district councils to prevent elected members from shifting allegiance from one party to another and to bring stability and transparency in the ADCs and end the “culture of horse trading.”

“We have that members of the district councils have wasted time by electing five to six CEMs in five years,” Lanong lamented.

The UDP would also push the Centre to speed up the implementation of amendments to the Sixth Schedule.

“Various markets should serve the interest of the indigenous people,” Lanong said while lamenting over the present state of affairs where more than 70 percent of traders at Ïewduh, are not indigenous people.

He blamed the failure on the part of the previous EC and Syiem of Hima Mylliem.

Lanong also assured that the UDP would not allow political interferences in the appointment of traditional heads including Syiems and Dolois, adding that the appointment of Acting Syiem will only arise if a case is pending in a Court.

He also underlined the need to preserve and protect the environment by maintaining the green cover of forests under the district councils.