Shillong, Aug 21: Leader of the Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma has hit out at the state government over its handling of the ongoing crisis in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) where employees have been agitating for over a month demanding release of salaries, the arrears of which amount to nearly four years’ worth.
Calling the situation “a matter of serious concern,” Mukul said the government’s refusal to intervene undermines the spirit of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. “The Sixth Schedule is the only constitutional safeguard to protect our identity, land, culture, and resources. By ignoring the plight of the ADCs, the state is effectively diluting this special provision,” he said.
The former chief minister recalled that in 2015–16, his government had successfully engaged with the Centre to secure special assistance under Article 275 of the Constitution, which mandates Parliament to provide funds to improve governance in Sixth Schedule areas. “For the first time, Rs 100.71 crore was released to the ADCs, with GHADC being the second highest recipient after KHADC. Unfortunately, allegations of misuse and irregularities led to judicial interventions, and subsequent releases were stalled,” he said.
Mukul further alleged that the then GHADC was run by an NPP-led Executive Committee, with the current chief minister serving as chairman of a “high-powered committee” that decided on utilisation of the Rs 100 crore package. “The incumbent CM knows how that money was used. Why are the cases against this misuse still pending before the Lokayukta?” he questioned, demanding that the cases be disposed of in the interest of transparency.
Accusing the government of abdicating responsibility, Mukul said it was “wrong” to shift the entire burden to ADCs. “Every rupee spent by the Union and state governments must be in line with the Constitution. Why is this particular provision, meant exclusively for tribal welfare in Sixth Schedule areas, being overlooked?” he asked, warning that continued negligence could weaken the autonomous councils and erode tribal safeguards.
Responding to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s claim that the GHADC’s financial burden was inherited from previous appointments, Mukul dismissed it as “defamatory and misleading.” He argued that successive governments had created districts, police battalions, and colleges without using staff appointments as an excuse to deny salaries. “This is nothing but mismanagement by NPP-led ECs. Instead of indulging in misinformation campaigns, the CM should own up and find solutions,” he said.
With GHADC employees on strike for over 40 days, Mukul warned that the crisis not only reflects governance failure but also raises questions about the government’s intent. “Do they have a malafide agenda to weaken the ADCs and the Sixth Schedule? People of Garo Hills are beginning to ask this,” he said.
