GHADC protest politically motivated: Conrad
BJP MDC Bernard Marak slams state govt for interfering in council matters
Shillong, Feb 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday referred to the protest called by a conglomeration of NGOs against the election of the new GHADC chief as “politically motivated”.
Sangma told reporters that NGEA, an employees’ association of the GHADC, along with other NGOs have backed out from the agitations to allow normal functioning of the district council after they realized that the newly installed executive committee was serious about resolving the problems.
NGOs including GSU, ADE, FAF, AYWO, NESO and FKJGP staged a protest on the GHADC office premises demanding immediate ouster of Rakesh Sangma.
Sangma said in a span of one week of taking over, the new EC released four-five months’ salary to the employees. “This is a big thing so really the NGOs are realising that this new EC means business,” he said.
To a query, he said, “I think the democratic process in the system has allowed him (Rakesh) to contest.”
“It looks like the other NGOs (who are continuing with the protest) are politically motivated and they are trying to move things in a political manner. This is what it looks to me,” he added.
Meanwhile, BJP MDC from Tura Bernard N Marak said the state government and council of ministers cannot interfere in the matters of autonomous district councils.
In a statement, Marak said, “They are barred by the High Court through an order in 2002 passed by the Gauhati High Court AIR 64(69) on Sixth Schedule and role of the state government and Council of Ministers.”
“It is unfortunate that the state government still thinks it can do anything in GHADC, which is very wrong as people do not believe its lies. Garos cannot be fooled nor threatened when it comes to tribal rights,” Marak added.
The chief minister, however, denied any interference, saying, “We try to stay away and not interfere in the overall process, we only try to support in the administrative aspect of running the council and whatever support we can give from the government’s side, we try to give not just to GHADC but to all the district councils.”
Talks need of the hour
On Rakesh’s appointment, Marak said it is imperative to initiate talks between the two parties and the new CEM, instead of staying holed up in the political safe house in Shillong, should face the agitating NGOs.
“Clear the doubts of the people and face them else resign. All should unite and refrain from deteriorating the situation in Garo Hills,” he said.
The former leader of the disbanded ANVC-B alleged that in past, the state government violated the order of the High Court in case of GHADC.
“Virtue of tribalism is lost as politics took over which is not right in the case of ADCs. Political intervention continuously shattered the unique fabrication of the Tribal Autonomy of the Garos and GHADC is merely seen as a struggling institution,” he said.
He also alleged that the ministers through their MDCs in Garo Hills manipulated and changed the Hill provisions of the Sixth Schedule to non-Hill provisions.
The BJP MDC alleged that the state had taken away funds meant for rural development and misappropriated funds meant for tribal upliftment which is evident in implementation of Rs 100.73 crore of which 40% benefited the political party which led the Executive Committee in GHADC.
Meanwhile, Marak slammed the state government for “intentionally” delaying the reforms on dilution of funds to the autonomous district councils through provisions of an agreement signed between the Centre Government, State Government and the two groups of ANVC.
