SHILLONG, July 9 - A forum of Autonomous District Councils (ADC) of the North East has demanded the creation of a separate Union Ministry for the District Councils.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the ADCs here yesterday. The ADCs which attended the meeting included the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills ADCs, Bodo Territorial Council, North Cachar, and three Councils of Mizoram.
Chief Executive Member of Khasi Hills ADC, PN Syiem said creation of a separate Union Ministry for the ADCs would help in solving some of the grievances of the Councils, mainly in terms of funding.
During the meeting, a forum of the ADCs was formed, which was dubbed as Forum of Councils Under Sixth Schedule (FOCUSS). Syiem was chosen as the first Chairman of the Forum with members nominated from each Council.
Further, it was decided that a delegation from the newly created Forum would be meeting the Union Home Minister and put forward the demands of the ADCs.
During the meeting, reservations were expressed against the manner in which the draft amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was finalised without consultation of the ADCs.
�We need several clarifications from the Union Home Ministry regarding certain clause of the amendment as no suggestions were sought from the ADCs,� Syiem added.
He said, the delegation would demand that a committee be formed and suggestions be sought from the ADCs so that they could give their inputs for better functioning of the Councils.
�We would soon go to New Delhi and meet the Union Home Minister,� Syiem said.
