Shillong, Sep 20: The three autonomous district councils (ADCs) of Meghalaya receive less than three per cent of the state budget even as fiscal power remains centralised in Shillong, weakening the very autonomy the Constitution guarantees, social activities Cherian Momin said.
In a statement today, Momin highlighted the stark disparity between state budgets and allocations to ADCs. He said while Meghalaya’s total budget for 2024–25 was over Rs 25,574 crore, the combined budgets of the KHADC, JHADC, and GHADC amounted to less than Rs 733 crore—a tiny fraction of total expenditure.
“Our councils govern the majority of the land and population but receive less than three per cent of the state budget. Fiscal power remains centralized in Shillong, weakening the very autonomy the Constitution guarantees,” Momin stated.
The activist also drew attention to governance failures that compound the problem. He said investigations have revealed irregularities in central funds, multi-crore projects, and contract allocations.
According to national surveys, nearly 46.5 per cent of children under five in Meghalaya are stunted, with rural and tribal areas disproportionately affected. “Money and programmes are not reaching the people who need them most,” Momin added.
He rue over the persistent deprivation of Meghalaya’s tribal communities, despite their overwhelming majority and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
“In a state where nearly 86–90 per cent of the population is tribal and almost 97 per cent of the land falls under the jurisdiction of the ADCs, the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities should lead the path to prosperity,” said Momin. “Instead, our people face chronic poverty, malnutrition, failing infrastructure, and lost opportunities. This is not accidental—it is the result of systemic fiscal and administrative neglect,” he said.
Calling on tribal citizens to act, Momin urged, “This is not just a technical matter—it is a moral imperative. The tribal majority must demand fiscal justice, accountability, and unity. Vote for leaders who promise measurable reforms, insist on transparency, and press the Assembly to enact proportional funding now.”
“The Sixth Schedule was intended to protect tribal self-rule. It is time to make those promises real, not just on paper, but in money, power, and opportunities for our people,” Momin said.
Momin further warned against delays caused by proposed constitutional amendments, such as the 125th Amendment, which critics argue could dilute ADC powers. “Immediate administrative reforms are possible. Direct fund devolution, transparent audits, and proportional allocations to ADCs can be enacted without waiting for Parliament,” he said.
