Shillong, Feb 5: The United Democratic Party (UDP), which is one of the largest regional parties in the state, on Wednesday assured to further strengthen the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India and implement 3 per cent job reservation for persons with disabilities (PwDs) if voted to power in the forthcoming elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the Khasi and Jaintia regions, which are slated to be held on February 21.

The 20-point manifesto released in presence of cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh, former KHADC chief Titosstarwell Chyne, general secretary Jemino Mawthoh, MLAs, MDCs, leaders and workers of the party at its head office also seek to vehemently oppose any attempt to mine uranium and implementation of the uniform civil code (UCC) in the state.

The party is fielding 40 candidates of which 23 for the constituencies under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and 16 for the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

Addressing media persons, Chyne said, “We seek to reserve 3 percent job reservation for PWDs in the district council. This is for the first time that any party has taken up this issue. We are happy to implement 3 per cent job reservation for PwDs (if voted to power).”

Asserting the need to empower the ADCs, the sitting Sohra MDC and leader of opposition in the KHADC said, “We want more power for the ADCs especially in the ownership of land and another thing with reference to paragraph 3 of the Sixth Schedule.”

“We also demand review of the para 12 (a) (b) of the Constitution of India and also we would like to change the criteria or the condition in relating with the Governor of the state with reference to giving assent to any Bill passed by the ADC with reference to Article 200 of the Constitution of India,” he added.

Stating that the party is totally for implementing the spirit of the anti-defection law in all the ADCs, Chyne said this will help in preventing defection of MDCs after the elections.

He said that the UDP strongly opposed to the idea to include or nominate the nominated MDCs from the unrepresented tribes and also the party stand firm to oppose the impose uniform civil code (UCC) or other Bills, which are against the interest of the tribals.

Chyne said the manifesto also emphasized the importance of clean governance besides promoting the traditional medicine practitioners, protection of forests and sacred groves and implementation of the solid waste management Act in letter and spirit.

In regards to mining of minerals, the UDP leader said, “With reference to this, the mining of minerals should be in corroboration with the land Bill especially the right of ownership of the indigenous tribal.”

He also declared that the party is totally opposed to the mining of uranium.

“We want to encourage all 54 Himas to have their own Acts because most of them now don’t have their own Acts. Out of 54, I think only 24 have their own Acts. To strengthen their functions and powers and objectives it is better for each and every elakas or himas to have their own respective Acts” Chyne said while adding “We would like to organize more activities to promote traditional customs, traditional dresses, traditional cultures. We will continue with the Monolith Festival and we would like to organize in a big way in collaboration with the state government.”

On the border dispute with neighbouring Assam, the UDP leader said, “Our stand is very firm that the boundaries of elakas should be the boundary of the state of Meghalaya.”

“That is why in the last EC, the boundary committee under my chairmanship have already submitted a full report regarding all areas under disputed to the government and I think the government should take into consideration our report as we have given all the materials regarding the ownership of land with reference to the papers or documents submitted by the Himas,’ he further asserted.

Read: Chief Minister releases Meghalaya Class Readiness Program e-Books

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