It is impossible to please everyone when it comes to altering constituency boundaries, Mylliem MLA and MDC Ronnie Lyngdoh has told Highland Post.
The term of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has been extended twice due to redrawing of boundaries (known as delimitation) but the recommendations of the council’s delimitation committee have found much opposition from certain sections of the public.
Lyngdoh told HP that the KHADC has to accept that not everyone will be satisfied with the process but that practical decisions have to be taken in the greater interest of society.
“If we just go by the sentiments and emotions we will not reach anywhere. Decisions have to be taken accordingly,” he said.
When asked about the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in Parliament and the increase of seats that could further delay the district council elections, Lyngdoh said that this will depend on the Union Home Ministry if it directs that the delimitation of constituencies should first be carried out.
He further said that the district councils are facing financial constraints and stressed that even though they are exempted from the Panchayati Raj system, they should have insisted that the funding pattern should be in line with that system. The proposed amendment will, according to him, at least help the councils become financially independent of the state government.
