The Government of Meghalaya has decided against the nomination of un-represented tribes to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), citing concerns of inequality of opportunity among different tribes.
In a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that the state has 17 major tribes, some of which have as many as 37 sub-tribes. With the proposed expansion of seats in the ADCs, the ratio of seats to the number of tribes/sub-tribes raised concerns about the equitable distribution of nominated seats.
The memorandum expressed apprehensions that this disproportionate allocation might lead to inequality of opportunity among different tribes, potentially endangering the unity and fraternity they share. Additionally, Meghalaya emphasized that there is no reservation for seats filled by universal adult suffrage, and no ban on any tribe/sub-tribe participating in the election process—be it contesting or voting. Therefore, after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, the Government of Meghalaya has opted against the nomination of un-represented tribes to the ADCs.
The decision of the Meghalaya government is a welcome move that will help to ensure that all tribes in the state have an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process. It is also a sign of the state’s commitment to unity and fraternity among its people.
