Shillong, June 20: The new KHADC CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem said on Tuesday that the NPP-led EC will take up issues related to the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, improving financial health of the council and resolving border dispute among others.
“We are taking over the new EC with full responsibility and we assure to put the Council’s interest in the forefront especially in view of the move by the Ministry of Home Affairs to bring the constitutional amendment of the Sixth Schedule. We will continue to follow up the matter with both the state and Centre so that we can further give our suggestions. We will also follow up that the Khasi language is included in the Eighth Schedule at the earliest. This can happen if everybody takes a collective responsibility to push for its inclusion,” the CEM said.
Border issue
Pyniaid praised the effort taken up by the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to complete the first phase of border talks and resolve the dispute in six of the twelve areas of difference with Assam.
He also favoured the second phase of border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference.
The CEM informed the House about his telephonic conversation with the CEM of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).
“I had requested the KAAC chief to ensure there is no harassment committed against the Khasi people residing in areas under the Raid Nongtung along the inter-state border. We are committed to address the grievances of the people living on the border”, he added.
Financial position
Pyniaid said the new EC will take up steps to improve the financial position of the Council and ensure its over 800 employees are not deprived of their salary.
“We are spending Rs 4 crore monthly and around Rs 50 crore a year only on salary expenditure and half of this amount comes from the council’s own revenue and resources which include professional tax, different fees etc,” he said.
Other revenue sources of the council also come from the royalty shares on major minerals particularly coal and shares from the Motor Vehicles Tax.
“I understand that the officers and staff do have apprehensions that a time may come that the council may not be able to pay salary to the employees but I can assure you that the new EC will not allow the Council to face any problem which will deprive the employees of their salary as was in the case of JHADC and GHADC. Therefore, we need to further strengthen and establish the council so that we can serve the people better,” he said.
Pending bills
On the pending Bills passed by the Council, the KHADC CEM said the new EC will soon lead a delegation to meet the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge District Council Affairs Prestone Tynsong to conduct a follow up on these pending Bills which include the Clan Bill.
He thanked the state government for reconstituting the Expert Committee and said, “We would also want this Committee to co-opt more people, who are well versed with the issue, so that the Bills passed by the KHADC can get the Governor’s assent at the earliest.”
