SHILLONG, Feb 11 - The United Democratic Party (UDP) today released its party manifesto for the upcoming Autonomous District Council polls and promised it would try implement an anti-defection law in the Councils, if voted to power.
The manifesto underlined the issue of anti-defection law as the Councils at present don�t have such a law leading to instability in the Councils due to defections.
�The UDP would work with the State Government to ensure that such an anti-defection Act is also there in the district councils,� the UDP manifesto said. On the contentious issue of mining, the party said that mining of minerals like, uranium, coal, limestone and sand will be done as per laws.
In case of minerals like uranium, especially, the Executive Committee of the Council would not allow its mining without the consent of the people. The party also assured that if the party forms the EC, it will work towards safeguarding the environment. �The district councils need tougher laws so that it can work towards maintaining our environment,� the UDP stated.
The party manifesto further expressed concern over the large number of non-tribals doing business in traditional markets like Iewduh. �There is a need to plug loopholes that exist in the law and the weaknesses in implementing it,� the UDP stated.
The Autonomous District Councils of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills will go for polls on February 27 and the results would be declared on March 2.
