Meghalaya govt to find way to hold civic polls: Selja

Shillong, Sep 18 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja today exuded confidence that Meghalaya government would 'find a way out' in holding Shillong Municipal Board elections here.

Talking to newspersons here, the Union Minister said Meghalaya has not been able to conduct Municipal election so far due to historical reasons.

When asked if not having an elected Municipal Board here was depriving the state in getting the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and other central sponsored schemes, Ms Selja said the state government should find a way out to conduct the elections.

However, she said that other states in the country were implementing the ministry's projects through the Municipal Corporations along with the state and the Union government.

It may be mentioned here the Shillong Municipal Board elections have not been held here due to opposition from 'heads of traditional institutions'.

The last civic-polls to the Shillong Municipal Board were held unsuccessfully in November 2000. Then, there was stiff opposition from the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (conglomeration of traditional headmen), Khasi Students' Union (KSU), banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and other organisations.

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