Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar on Tuesday approved the amended rules making it mandatory for candidates to have an ST certificate to contest in the GHADC elections, a move that comes amid sustained demands from pressure groups seeking stricter safeguards for tribal representation in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
This came a day after the new Executive Committee of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council amended its rules to require every candidate to hold a Scheduled Tribe certificate, effectively restricting elections to tribal contestants for the first time since the council’s creation in 1952.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday said “Would like to thank the Hon’ble Governor for approving the amended rules making it mandatory for candidates to have ST certificate to contest in the GHADC elections.”
In a parallel development, a notification issued under No. GHADC-GAD/APTT (EM)/P-III/2020/718/165 detailed the allocation of portfolios within the Executive Committee of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Rule of Rule 31 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts Rules, as amended.
Dhormonath Ch. Sangma, Chief Executive Member, has been entrusted with General Administration, Finance, Parliamentary Affairs, and personnel-related matters including posting, transfer, promotion and training, along with subjects not allocated to other Executive Members. Stevie M. Marak has been allocated Taxation, Art and Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, while Arbinstone B. Marak will oversee Land and Revenue. Civil Works has been assigned to Grahambell A. Sangma, and Forest and Water Conservation, Catchment Area Development and Jhum Control to Henen R. Sangma.
Sengbath R. Marak will handle Agriculture, Ferry Ghats and Fisheries, and Water Works, while Crozier G. Momin has been given charge of Haat. Ashahel D. Shira will look after Tourism, Reformation and Coordination, and Nehru D. Sangma will oversee Rural Development, Sand Market and Brick Market.
Cherak W. Momin has been assigned Rural Administration, Resource Mobilisation, Cattle Feeding, Custom and Usage, and inter-state boundary dispute matters, while Alphonsush R. Marak will handle Transport, Printing and Stationery, Relief and Rehabilitation, and Administration of Justice.
The notification was issued under the authority of the Chief Executive Member, formalising the distribution of administrative responsibilities within the council even as the amended electoral rules take effect.
ST certificate made mandatory for GHADC candidates as Governor gives assent to amended rules
