Shillong: Tura MDC and BJP leader Bernard N. Marak has issued a stern rebuke against the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council following the recent removal of the word autonomous from official receipts and the organization's logo. Marak argues that this change undermines the institution's constitutional identity and represents a troubling shift toward weakening its power.
This branding shift is viewed by critics as part of a broader pattern where successive administrations have replaced the full title with abbreviated versions like Garo Hills District Council or Garo District Council. Marak expressed deep concern that these modifications suggest a deliberate effort to make the council subservient to state government influence.
Referring to the legal protections afforded to the region, Marak stated, "Furthermore, this constitutes a violation of the constitutional recognition accorded to the GHADC under the Sixth Schedule." He urged the current Executive Committee to take immediate steps to restore the official designation.
The move has intensified existing political friction between the council and its opponents. Critics have long alleged that the body, currently led by the National People's Party, is suffering from systemic issues including fund mismanagement and a gradual surrender of its autonomous authority. As stakeholders wait for a response, the controversy highlights growing fears that the council is being reduced to a mere administrative unit under state control.
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