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Deputy Commissioner's Office, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Shri. T.Dkhar, IAS  : joining date 1/ 7/ 2009  

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Departments activities: 

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List Of Villages With Gramsevak Circles under Amlarem Sub-Division

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With the coming into force of the 6th Schedule to the Constitution of India, steps were taken to constitute District Councils in all autonomous Districts of Assam. The Govt. of Assam made rules ( Assam Autonomous District Rules 1951 or Constitution of the District Councils) for the procedure and conduct of business of these district councils and steps were taken for holding the first election to the District Council on the basis of Adult suffrage. In 1952, the District Councils were constituted in all the districts except in the Naga Hills District. The first elections to all other district councils were held during April-June 1952.  

The United Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council came into existence on 27th June 1952 after being formally inaugurated by the Governor of Assam, J.Daulatram at the Dinam Hall, Jaiaw. Since its inception protests started growing against the 6th Schedule. The inauguration was a gloomy day for the public of Shillong. Black flags were carried to protest the principle of nomination. However the protest was directed not to the District Council but against the Assam Government's  policy in trying to impose the nomination of three non-tribal persons as members of the District Council from among the three communities which have nothing to do with the District Council affairs. So started the demand for separate councils for the 3 separate communities.

Memoranda's were submitted to the Center for demand of separate District Councils putting forth the disadvantages of the United form. The CEM of the United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Mr. E.Bareh ceased to be the CEM of the same and became the CEM of the newly formed Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council till the regular CEM was sworned in on Jan 7th 1966( Mr. Wilson Reade).   Top

The term :United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council ceased to exist on January 1963. The elections were finally held for the separate District Councils till 1967.  

Hence the District Councils have autonomous status in dealing with regulations of trading by non-tribals, promotion of their welfare, preservation of their way of life, tradition, customs. It also can make laws subject to :marriage and divorce, inheritance of property, social customs, appointments/succession of headmen and chiefs, village and town related administrative problems, health, sanitation, etc, management of any unreserved forests, usage of canals or water courses, establishments of town committees or councils and their powers.

The Jowai District Council has Officers and Staffs numbering up to 968 excluding the Chairman and Vice Chairman etc.. covering all departments like general, finance & accounts, Revenue, Civil Works, Education, Judicial, Legislative, Publicity, Stationary and Printing, Planning, Agriculture, Soil, Fisheries & Market, Political, Taxation, Town Committee Affairs depts..

However there have been academic discussions as to the existence of the District Councils after statehood was granted to the people to run their administration according to their own genius. Infact close studies have shown the overlapping of powers of the State Govt. and the District Councils. Moreover the State has better infrastructure for governance. It is felt that after creation of Statehood, District Council may serve the people as local self government in true sense of the term. It has grass root level contact. Infact the District Councils can easily carry out the development works entrusted by the State and the center and with provisions for direct funding to local self-governments by the central Govt. the work has been made easier.  Top

The State Govt. and the District Councils carry out work in parallel: which cannot give much benefit to the local people. Infact at present there is lack of coordination in functioning between the two said bodies. Suggestions say that the State Govt. should be the all power assisted by the District Council that would act as an agent to the State Govt. in developing activities. However the changing of the status of the District Council is probably a difficult proposition. As is shown : most politicians after losing elections normally seek refuge as MDC's. No reservation for Women is kept in the District Council elections.

For things to change : people need to be aware of the changes around them, and Public opinion will play an  important role for the interest of the People of the State. Shri. M.N.Syiem Secy. Mait Shaphrang an NGO has stated in its paper "SELF INTEREST OF POLITICAL ASPIRANTS NEED TO BE SACRIFICED FOR THE SAKE OF OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE".                   

Further reading refer : Articles by S.K.Chattopadhyay & E.Jyrwa: Jaintia Hills-A MeghalayaTribe.                Top

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