Shillong, Nov 12: Pressure groups have written to Tura MP Saleng A Sangma to seek clarification on whether the introduction of the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) in Rongjeng is a back door way of implementing the Panchayati Raj system of local governance in 6th Schedule areas of Meghalaya.
The pressure groups called it a “matter of serious public concern and confusion”.
“The sudden appearance and display of Rongjeng Jambal under PAI on platforms like Yuktdhara is causing deep suspicion among the local populace,” the MP was told. “This suspicion has grown louder because villagers viz, (Rongjeng Jambal), who are beneficiaries of developmental work from MGNREGA scheme, are now being denied work orders under MGNREGA . This abrupt denial of work is making the whole community fear that PAI is not just a project, but a quiet, initial move towards implementing the Panchayati Raj system in our region.”
Meghalaya does not use the Panchayati Raj system of local governance as its tribal communities have their own traditional systems under the autonomous district councils.
“This potential move is extremely worrying because the introduction of Panchayati Raj is unacceptable under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which protects the rights and traditional administrative systems of the tribal people in our state. We believe that taking away tribal rights without their explicit consent is wrong,” the pressure groups stated in the letter.
They thus requested Sangma’s help in ascertaining whether the PAI is a project to improve proper functioning and village development or part of a move towards the Panchayati Raj structure.
