The Congress on Thursday demanded imposition of governor’s rule in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) party in Meghalaya over the non-payment of salaries of over 2000 employees of the GHADC.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Working President, Deborah Ch. Marak described the backlog of unpaid wages to a staggering 42 months as a “human tragedy”.
“We condemn both the grave mismanagement within the GHADC and the neglect shown by the state government,” Marak said, alleging funds diversion from their rightful purpose and crucial revenue-generating departments compromised.
Noting that the Constitution exists to protect people from precisely this kind of failure, the former Deputy Chief Minister said, “it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to intervene when a democratically elected body can no longer fulfill its basic duties.”
Marak also called upon the state government to urgently recommend the imposition of Governor’s rule in GHADC, she said, “this is not an assault on tribal rights or autonomy. This is a desperate appeal to save thousands of families from collapse and despair.
Governor’s rule must be a temporary, emergency step – to audit the council’s finances, clear overdue salaries, restore faith in governance, and lay the ground for fresh, clean elections,” Marak added. Urging civil society, employees’ unions and every political party to stand together for imposition of Governor’s rule in GHADC, the Congress leader said, “Let us not allow bureaucracy or politics to crush the spirit of our people. Imposing Governor’s rule is not only the right thing to do – it is the only humane and constitutional option left.”
Under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Meghalaya has three district councils – for the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills – having powers on myriad issues such as forests, tax collection, and so on.