Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has formally requested the Union government to revise the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2019. During the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council in Shillong, Sangma presented a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah that outlines the state's official position following consultations with stakeholders and Autonomous District Councils.
A primary concern for the state involves the Bill's proposal to nominate representatives from tribes that fail to secure elected seats. Meghalaya officials argued that the diversity of local tribes and sub-tribes would make this mandate difficult to implement. Instead, the state suggests that nominated positions be reserved for experts in fields like administration, business, sports, and education, while also mandating representation for women.
The government also proposed specific structural changes for the state's district councils. For the Khasi Hills ADC, they recommend a 40-member council with 36 elected and four nominated seats. For the Garo Hills, they favor a 40-member body with two seats reserved for women. The Jaintia Hills ADC proposal includes a 32-member structure with two nominated seats, at least one of which must be held by a woman.
Beyond the constitutional amendment, the state raised four additional priorities with the Centre. These include enhancing safeguards against illegal immigration via the Inner Line Permit and the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act. The state also repeated its demand for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Sangma noted that the memorandum represents a collaborative effort, stating, "Sangma described the memorandum as the state's official position on the matter and said it was prepared after extensive consultations and a detailed review of the proposed legislation."
Finally, the state expressed concern regarding proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The Chief Minister reported that Amit Shah responded positively to these discussions and encouraged the state to send representatives to New Delhi for further dialogue on these regulatory changes.
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