Polls on in 29 seats in GHADC

Meghalaya government today said it would go ahead with holding the election only with the existing 29 seats in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) next year.
"We will proceed with the election in GHADC with the existing seats," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after a cabinet meeting held here on Tuesday night.
Earlier, the state government extended the term of the GHADC by another six months (till February 17, 2015) on the ground to enable it to complete the peace process with Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), which was completed on September 24.
The Agreed Text Settlement between Centre, state government and ANVC, its faction group ANVC(B) also include the increase in number of seats in the Autonomous District Council.

According to Chief Minister, the process of implementing
the agreed text agreement will be effective only after the proposed amendment of Sixth Schedule in Parliament.

"Implementation of the agreed settlement for increasing
the seats in GHADC will also embark upon delimitation process which will take time," Sangma said.
"I had also recently met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for necessary amendment of the Sixth Schedule. A committee will have to be formed by the MHA which is as per the agreed text of settlement," he said.
The Chief Minister also added that whatever provisions laid down in the agreed text settlement related to the strengthening of the GHADC will also be applicable to other two autonomous district councils, Khasi and Jaintia in the state.

While the seats in the GHADC will be increased from 29 to 40, JHADC will be given an additional increase of only five seats since its area is smaller compare to that of GHADC and KHADC.
"By first week of December, the process of disbandment of the two outfits - ANVC and ANVC(B) - will be completed," he said.