The three Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya today sought grants of Rs 8877.51 crore from the 16th Finance Commission for the next five years period.
A joint memorandum by the three Autonomous District Councils was submitted to the chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya here.
The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has proposed the highest amount of Rs 5042.30 crore.
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) sought Rs 2,641.54 crore and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Rs 1,019.60 crore.
The councils also sought 2 per cent contingency charges amounting to Rs 174.07 crore.
Another demand of the three Autonomous District Councils is to abolish the delivery of grants to them through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
The memorandum was submitted by KHADC Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem, JHADC CEM Thombor Shiwat, and GHADC CEM Albinush R. Marak.
According to the views presented by the State government, the approach of the 15th Finance Commission should be continued by recommending grants to the Autonomous District Council “without requiring the establishment of elected bodies”.
It also proposed for increased flexibility in the planning and to allow the use of untied grants for subjects under the Sixth Schedule, and not limited to the Eleventh Schedule. This will enable the ADCs to carry out their diverse functions.
The government also requested the 16th Finance Commission to provide annual or one-time grant-in-aid revenue to the ADCs for undertaking sustainable, resilient, and green growth in the State.
