Shillong, Mar 23: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) on Monday passed a bill amending the 1951 District Council Rules to limit the council’s affairs to the Scheduled Tribes.
The bill — titled the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) (Garo Hills Autonomous Districts Amendment) Rules, 2026 — amends Rule 8 of the 1951 rules, saying the ADC “belongs to a Scheduled Tribe specified in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as applicable to Meghalaya”.
Three members, two from non-tribal areas and one from Baghmara, were absent from Monday’s session.
The amendment comes days after Dhormonath Ch Sangma was named the chief executive member following the resignation of Albinush Marak.
“The GHADC house today passed a historic amendment where it made mandatory for any candidate to have an ST certificate. This is truly a historic moment and a very important decision… this was a long-pending demand of the people… I am sure all the non-tribal friends there will understand that the council has always been meant for the tribal population from all parts of the North East, and I hope there will be cooperation from all,” said Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
