Shillong, Jan 15: National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma has said preparations were on to contest Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) polls.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Sangma said, “We are very serious about any election and we ensure that we don’t take anything for granted. We have started working and we have started moving at the grassroot level and a lot of activities are taking place.”
To a question, Sangma said there are no such plans as of now.
“There is no proposal as of now to extend the tenure of the GHADC,” he said.
On anti-incumbency, Sangma acknowledged it and said,”Anti-incumbency is always there, no doubt about it, and we always take that very seriously.”
According to the CM, it affects not just one party, but all parties with sitting MDCs.
Regarding the delay in paying salaries to GHADC employees, Sangma said the government has taken steps to address the issue, consulting with stakeholders and implementing reforms.
“We have taken steps and we assure that we will be moving forward to be having more such reforms and we will streamline things,” he said.
Sangma highlighted the government’s efforts to support the ADCs, including setting up committees headed by deputy commissioners to improve their functioning.
“Consultations are taking place on how each council can be improved and functioning can become better,” he said.
The chief minister also expressed satisfaction with the positive response from GHADC employees, who had earlier been upset over delayed salaries.
“I am happy to see some video clips of the GHADC employees… thanking the government for clearing their salaries,” he said.
Amendment to Sixth Schedule
Conrad said the government is actively pursuing with the Centre for immediate passing of the 125th amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Sangma said, “I have approached the government of India on this issue and the reply we have received was there are some other councils in some states in which they are still streamlining the different aspects.”
