Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Shillong seat, Robertjune Kharjahrin today said that he aims to depoliticise development in the State by amending Para 6 of the Sixth Schedule.
He was speaking at a meeting organised by the RDA, an alliance UDP and HSPDP to officially introduce him as the coalition’s candidate for the Lok Sabha polls slated later in this year.
“I will demand from the Centre to give direct funding to the villages through Article 280 of the Indian Constitution,” Kharjahrin said at the gathering held at the UDP’s office in Bomfyle Road, Laitumkhrah here.
Kharjahrin said that if elected he will take up various issues faced by the indigenous people of the State in Parliament.
He also said that he will take up the issue of introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP), introduction of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, separate IAS and IPS cadre for Meghalaya and to strengthen the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
On the tripartite peace talks between the Centre, State and the proscribed HNLC, Kharjahrin said that the demands of the outfit are political in nature and they can be achieved only through political will.
The RDA candidate also said that another issue he will take up is on the 100th amendment of the Constitution which is to resolve the boundary issue between India and Bangladesh.
He said that due to this amendment the villagers living along the Bangladesh border in Meghalaya have lost lands since fencing is being done 150 yards from the zero line.
Kharjahrin said that in Tamabil and Dawki fencing is being done at zero line. “But here the question arises why don’t you allow the fence from zero line other areas,” he said.
The RDA candidate also said that he will take up with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the atrocities being meted out by Bangladesh on indigenous Khasis and Garos in that country.
He also said that it will be his commitment to demand from the centre that there should be pre-legislative consultation before any bill is brought to Parliament of the state legislatures; these should be put up in public for suggestions.
The RDA candidate also said that it will oppose all Hindutva ideology of the state.
He said that the alliance won’t allow any anti-minority laws or impose Hindi on the people or compel people of the state to follow another religion.
Kharjahrin also said that time has come for those who smash up Churches to be booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or National Security Act.
“We won’t allow the anti-conversion law and anybody who tries to bring this is not a true secular party,” the RDA candidate said.
He also said that the people should not be misled into believing only the BJP is capable of bringing the anti-conversion law but even the Congress has done it in Uttarakhand.
“How a party (Congress) who claims itself to be secular can pass the anti-conversion law in one of the states ruled by it,” Kharjahrin said.
Although a RDA candidate, Kharjahrin will be contesting on the symbol of the UDP – the drum.
During the introduction programme, UDP chief and chairman of the RDA, Metbah Lyngdoh, HSPDP president K P Pangniang who is also the general secretary of the RDA were present.
Others who were also present at the function were various UDP legislators which included cabinet ministers Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla, Pius Marwein, Balajied Synrem, Mayralborn Syiem, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah and HSPDP MDC, Martle Mukhim.
