Congress Chief questions VPP stand on Article 371 and Sixth Schedule ahead of ADC elections

Shillong, Jan 11: Congress chief Vincent H Pala on Saturday asked the Voice of People Party (VPP) to make its stand clear on whether it is for introduction of Article 371 or strengthening of the Sixth Schedule in the state of Meghalaya.

Speaking to reporters, Pala said, “The VPP should come out clear about their intention. Whether they are for protecting the rich custom and tradition of the indigenous people or whether they want to shift from the Sixth Schedule to Article 371so that the people can give their clear mandate (in the upcoming ADC elections).”

“I have no complaints about them contesting the ADC elections but they should come out clear if they win, will they bring change or they will preserve and protect our rich custom and tradition because their leaders have moved a Bill and they have gone everywhere saying they want Article 371 but now they are campaigning for the MDC elections. They should be clear on whether they want Sixth Schedule or Article 371,” he added.

Stating that Article 371 is totally different from the Sixth Schedule, Pala said, “Under Article 371, the power lies with the state government but as per the mandate of the Sixth Schedule in regards to custom, tradition and land (rights), all these fall under the district council. The district councils were established as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule (to protect the rights and interests of indigenous people and their land).”

Further, Pala also asked the voters of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region to take a call on whether they would allow surrendering the powers of the traditional heads, himas, to the state government.

He also referred to a research conducted by the Congress and said, “We found that the Sixth Schedule is more powerful than Article 371. Even in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and Arunachal, they want to implement Sixth Schedule in areas, which are already implementing Article 371.”

“Therefore, people will have to decide whether they want to surrender the powers of the traditional headmen to the state government or whether they would ensure that such subjects remain within the autonomous powers of the district councils. People should give their mandate because if they vote for the VPP, they may move a resolution (for Article 371), I don’t know,” Pala added.

Stating that the Congress prefers to strengthen the Sixth Schedule in the state, the Congress chief said, “We therefore emphasized the need to come up with more legislation to protect and promote the rich custom and tradition of our indigenous people through the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.”

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