Shillong, Sep 30: Winston Tony Lyngdoh, the newly-elected Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), today reiterated the council’s stand against the state government’s proposal for payment of salary of district council staff.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh stated that the executive committee (EC) and the ruling Voice of the People Party (VPP) have clarified their stand before the committee set up by the state government, emphasising that they will not accept the proposal.
When asked about measures to prevent financial crisis in the KHADC, Lyngdoh stressed the need to curtail unnecessary spending, citing the council’s efforts to reduce expenses over the past six months, as reflected in the budget session.
Regarding the relationship between the KHADC and the state government, Lyngdoh described it as “usual,” neither good nor bad.
The state government had proposed to take on the burden of the three district councils’ employee wages as at least one, the Garo Hills ADC, is struggling financially to pay its staff, who have gone on strike. Unlike the GHADC or the Jaintia Hills ADC, the KHADC is not run by the National People’s Party (NPP), which also holds sway in the state government.
On the issue of district council shares, Lyngdoh revealed that the KHADC has written to the government thrice, urging them to release the council’s share of royalties in a timely manner.
“If the state government is serious about assisting the district councils, we urge them to release our shares on time,” Lyngdoh said. “The KHADC is not facing a financial crisis and we are not a sinking ship. If the state wants to help us and the other district councils, they should give us our shares on time and allow us to collect our revenues as per our rights.”
Lyngdoh also suggested that the state government could provide a one-time grant-in-aid to support the smooth functioning of the council.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also reiterated the KHADC’s opposition to uranium mining in areas under its jurisdiction. “The stand of the executive committee is the same as before – no to uranium mining,” he emphasised.
