Our Correspondent
Diphu, Jan. 2 (EMN): More than 24 social organisations have demanded Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang to frame the rules and acts of the council before the Town Committee elections, failing which a 12-hour bandh would be imposed in Karbi Anglong on the polling day, Jan. 8.
The Town Committee elections for Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts of Assam will be held on Jan. 8 and the results will be declared on Jan. 10.
The convenor of the social organisations Ratan Terang told reporters at the Karbi Anglong district Press Club office earlier this week that ‘it is very unfortunate that CEM Tuliram Ronghang-led KAAC has exceeded the deadline of six months as per the order of the Gauhati High Court to frame new rules of the council under Paragraph 2 (7) and Paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule of the constitution.’
The Court on July 13, 2018 had directed the KAAC to frame new rules and acts saying that the existing Assam Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 have become “absolute.” The six-month time frame will expire on January 13, 2019.
Terang stated the KAAC is not only dishonouring itself but also disobeying the High Court order by not framing new rules.
“The Mikir Hills District (Administration of Town Committee) Act 1954 and the Mikir Hills District (Constitution of Town Committee) Rules, 1958 were not enacted with the constitutional powers conferred by Clause (a) of Paragraph 2 Sub-Paragraph 7, Clause (e) Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 20 of Sixth Schedule. Also, these two Acts have given certain definition under the obsolete Assam Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Ruels 1951 and Sections 5 Clause 3 and 4 of the Act of 1954 empower KAAC to utilize Assam Municipal Act, 1923 which KAAC has not yet adopted,” said Terang.
“We demand that the Town Committee elections should be withdrawn until new rules are framed and electoral rolls are prepared. Failing to do so by the KAAC authority, over 24 organisations will call for a 12-hour Karbi Anglong bandh on Jan. 8 next on the polling day of Town Committee election,” added Terang.
He also expressed dissatisfaction over KAAC not making mandatory for the intending candidates of the Town Committee elections to produce Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate, saying that it is against the very spirit of the Sixth Schedule.
