Shillong: The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council tabled the Separate Electoral Roll 2026 Bill on Wednesday. Chief Executive Member Dhormonath Ch Sangma introduced the measure during the second day of the council budget session. Tribal groups have pushed for this change for years. They argue non-tribal residents should not vote in an institution built to protect indigenous customs.
Sangma also presented the general budget estimate reaching through March 2027. He told the House that the electoral bill, new service rules for employees, and illegal immigration rules face debate on Thursday. He expects the Council to pass all three. This session runs for eight days, marking the longest in the history of the GHADC.
Members questioned the administration on GST, TDS, and a stalled guest house project in Shillong. Former Deputy CEM Nikman Ch Marak demanded a refund of the Rs 1.38 crore advance paid to the contractor if construction remains frozen. Sangma claimed 98 per cent of preliminary work is finished and construction starts soon. He promised the committee would recover the funds if the builder continues to stall. EM Nathawal S. Marak noted the North Eastern Council provided the project funding in 2022. He stated, "The advance was paid following the advice of the then CEM and persuasion from the High Powered Committee Chairman, Rakesh A. Sangma, to expedite the project."
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