The Centre has approved the demands of the Garo militant outfit, the Achik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC), whose ceasefire agreement was extended by another year, on expansion of powers to the Autonomous Council of the Garo tribals living in western part of Meghalaya, a senior official said today.
"The Centre has expressed its nod to the agreed text settlement with the ANVC," Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Director in-charge of North East, J P N Singh told PTI.
He said the agreed text of settlement which was forwarded by the state government and the interlocutor P C Haldar was approved by the Union Cabinet Committee during the last week of February.
"With the concurrent approval of the Centre, this empowers the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to introduce a bill on the amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for approval of the Centre," Singh said.
The state government had submitted its views to the Ministry with regards to the expansion of the number of members from 29 to 40 in the council which would also impact the other two existing Autonomous District Councils - the KHADC and JHADC.
The ANVC proposed that out of 40, members to the 35 seats will have to be elected by the people while five - comprising two ANVC members, two nokmas (traditional heads) and one woman - would be nominated.
The state government has also put on hold elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council by extending its term for another six months to facilitate the settlement processes.
The Home Ministry has already begun consultation processes with central ministries and state government departments concerned besides stakeholders, Singh said.
Earlier on Friday, the joint monitoring group meeting headed by the MHA director approved a one year extension of the ceasefire agreement with the proscribed ANVC.
