MIPF urges PM not to abolish District Councils

Shillong, June 3 (UNI) The Meghalaya Indigenous People's Forum (MIPF) has urged Prime Minister Manmohan singh not to abolish the District Councils in the state on the basis of the Administrative Reforms Commission's (ARC) recommendation.

MIPF sources said here today that the forum had expressed shock over the reported recommendation of the ARC advocating abolishing of the District Councils in the state.

The ARC stated that as Meghalaya was a tribal-dominated state, there were reports of frequent clash of interests between the District Councils and the state government on various issues.

The MIPF, in a letter to the Prime Minister, stated that there was no clash of interest between the councils and the state government as mentioned by the ARC in its recommendation.

Meanwhile, several organisations demanded shares in the sales tax from the state government to traditional institutions.

A delegation of the organisations met Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy yesterday and apprised him of the need for enhancing revenue for the traditional institutions.

The Chief Minister reportedly agreed to set up a committee to look into the demands for allotting shares from the sales tax of the government to ensure that there was no clash of interests between the traditional bodies and the Autonomous District Councils or state government.

UNI PB DPM BDP AS1422