The United Democratic Party (UDP) wants to see stronger, more empowered autonomous district councils and has put this at the heart of its manifesto for the February 21 KHADC and JHADC elections.
The manifesto was released today by the party’s senior working president Paul Lyngdoh MLA-MDC in the presence of Sohra MDC Titosstarwell Chyne and the party’s candidates.
The document outlines 20 key initiatives that the party aims to implement if elected to power.
Chyne explained that the UDP wants the district councils to be empowered and will provide them with the necessary authority and resources to operate effectively. He also highlighted the importance of addressing border issues, advancing the development of indigenous communities and improving the process for issuing trading licences.
The party wants to strengthen the judicial system, increase the council’s budget to enhance governance, enforce building bylaws and take proactive measures to preserve and promote local culture.
The manifesto further indicated the need to empower the district councils, particularly in terms of land ownership and transfer. It proposed altering Para 12A to clarify that state and central laws will not apply regarding the customs, practices, inheritance, minerals, land and forest rights of the indigenous Khasi-Jaintia people. Additionally, it suggested giving the power that the President holds in being able to exclude Meghalaya from the purview of Parliamentary laws to the Meghalaya Governor.
The UDP also plans to introduce a new clause requiring the Governor’s approval for bills passed by the district council, in line with Article 200 of the Constitution. Currently, bills passed by the ADCs often get stuck in limbo for years, with the Governor, state government and central government all taking time to study the bills’ implications before the Governor is given the go-ahead to sign them into law. A process like that laid down in Article 200 (which concerns the process for a Governor to sign a state legislature bill into law) might streamline the matter.
Meanwhile, the UDP also said it aims to enact anti-defection laws to prevent MDCs from switching parties, a common problem in the councils. Furthermore, the party is exploring ways for direct funding and special assistance schemes. The manifesto also includes a provision for a 3 percent reservation for people with disabilities within the district council.
