Meghalaya: KHADC locks horn with Govt, Governor comes in support of ADCs

Shillong, Nov 28:

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to directly submit all official communications of the Council directly to the Governor Secretariat without going through the District Council Affairs department.

As per practice and convention followed in the past, the ADCs would submit all official communications to the DCA who in turn refer these to the Governor for his assent.

"We will directly communicate with the Governor's Secretariat rather than routing their bills and official communications through the DCA," KHADC chairman PN Syiem told reporters after making a courtesy call on Governor Tathagata Roy.

It may be mentioned that the chairman was accompanied by newly elected Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC, Latiplang Kharkongor.

According to him, the Governor can appoint any Minister to look after the ADCs but they cannot direct the autonomous institutions.

To question on Article 163 of the Constitution which states that the State's council of ministers is to aid and advise the Governor, Syiem said that it applies to states where there are no district councils.

"But in states that have district councils we will also have to go by what Article 244 (2) says. Even Article 163 (2) states that the Governor can act in his discretion," the chairman said.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Governor, Tatagatha Roy asserted that the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) should be allowed to function autonomously without any meddling from the State Government.

"The district councils are autonomous body. I have decided that the ADCs should function autonomously without any meddling from the Government," Roy said while speaking to reporters on the sideline of a program at Raj Bhavan here today.

Questions have been raised over the rejection of the government's recommendation by the Governor for imposition of the Administrator's Rule which according to many has created further instability. Reacting to this, the governor said that this is a democratic country and people are entitled to make their opinion.

Earlier, NPP State President, Dr. WR Kharlukhi had stated that the decision of the Governor not to impose administrator's rule is causing instability in the autonomous district councils of the state.

"We are witnessing that the GHADC is following suit after seeing what had happen in the KHADC," Dr Kharlukhi said.