State

Traditional heads to be chairpersons of village councils

Shillong, Jan 28: The state cabinet has recommended appointment of traditional heads as chairpersons of the village councils.

There were apprehensions about the formation of village councils as per the amendment of sixth schedule to the constitution.

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However, allaying fears, the government wanted the traditional heads to man the village councils.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the cabinet proposed that there will be election to village councils but the chairmen will be the traditional heads including rangbah shnong, sordars and nokmas.

“The chairmen of every village council will be the rangbah shnong or the sordar or the nokma while the other members will be elected as per the provisions,” he said.

Increase in seatsĀ 

The cabinet has also proposed that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) will have not more than 40 members.

“Out of this, 4 will be nominated and the rest will be elected through adult suffrage,” Conrad said.

Conrad said the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) will not have more than 32 members out of which not more than 2 will be nominated while the rest will be elected through adult suffrage.

The chief minister said the two recommendations have been made after thorough consultation and discussions with the different stakeholders including the ADCs.

“These suggestions have come from the ADCs and accordingly, the state government will be submitting these proposals to the Government of India in the next few days,” he said.

The chief minister assured that he would also visit New Delhi to discuss the recommendations with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Unrepresented tribes

To a question on the proposed move to nominate unrepresented tribes in the councils, the chief minister said the matter was already discussed with the Centre and the MHA and the particular clause on the matter will not be there.

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