Tura, Feb 28: The A’chik Progressive Approach (APA), a newly formed social organisation, and advocate Joshua Ch. Marak today submitted a petition to CEM of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) seeking amendment to Rule 8 on qualification of members in the council.

In the petition, the organisation sought intervention of CEM Albinush R Marak and Dy CEM Nikman Marak urging them to amend the rules in the upcoming budget session of the council.  The organisation is seeking exclusive rights for the Garos to contest and vote in the district council.

They have proposed amendment to the Rule 8 (Qualification for Membership to be elected for Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC)) and Rule 128 (Qualification for Electors to vote for the election of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC)) of Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District Council Rules, 1951.

A statement issued by the organisation said that the CEM and Dy CEM has responded positively to the demand, and the matter will be taken up in the best interest of the people of Garo Hills.

The budget session in the GHADC will commence from March 19.

The organisation has proposed :

A person shall not be qualified to be elected as a member of the District Council unless he;

• is a citizen of India belonging to Garo Schedule tribe specified in Part XI Meghalaya of the scheduled to the constitution (schedule Tribe) order 1950;
• is not less than twenty-five years of age; and
• is entitled to vote at the election of Members of the District Council (MDC) of that Autonomous District.

AND

Proposed amendment to the rule 128 of Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District Councils Rules 1951 as under:

• Save in so far is otherwise provided in these rules every person who is-
• a citizen of India belonging to Garo Schedule tribe specified in Part XI Meghalaya of the scheduled to the constitution (schedule Tribe) order 1950;
• not below the age of eighteen on the qualifying date;
• not of unsound mind and does not stand so declared by a competent court or such other authority as may be empowered by the Governor in this behalf;
• for the time being not disqualified from voting under the provisions of any law relating to corrupt or illegal practices and other offences in connection with election to the District Council of an autonomous district;

Provided that a person not belonging to GARO SCHEDULED TRIBE specified in Part XI Meghalaya of the scheduled to the constitution (schedule Tribe) order 1950 shall not be entitled to so vote.

“The rationale for this amendment is; as the rise of population of non-tribal group who are peeping to actively participate and politicize in the house of Garos i.e Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) is becoming a threat or widely alarming to the indigenous Garo people which has credibility of leading to clash between Garos and non-tribal in future generation while protecting our rights and house of legislature,” the petition of the organisation stated.