ADE urges Meghalaya Government, Centre to hold discussion on Sixth Schedule

Newmai News Network
Tura, Aug 31: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) on Tuesday urged the Meghalaya government and the Central government to hold discussions with all stakeholders, including people of the region and various NGOs before making a decision on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule.
ADE, through a press release, felt that discussions of the issue of amendment of 6th Schedule is absolutely necessitated as every aspect of it would have huge ramifications on the tribal population of tribals.
“We should consider the various outcomes that are likely to spring from these amendments. This could affect the traditional social fabric of our people in the long run. It is of utmost importance that any alteration in the 6th Schedule should not affect the rights of the tribal people in Meghalaya,” said ADE president, Dalseng B Ch Momin.
ADE however felt that the proposed amendment by the BJP government at the Centre is a deep-rooted conspiracy to destroy the power structure of the ‘Traditional Governing System’ existing at the grassroots in Garo Hills. The present move, ADE felt, was an attempt to ‘strip the powers and functions of the local bodies, existing since long.
“The Constitution clearly mentions that Municipal Boards and Councils cannot co-exist within District Councils. We oppose the proposal for forming village and municipal councils as it would be like holding Panchayati elections in a Sixth Schedule area,” added the ADE president.