Shillong, Feb. 16 : The Meghalaya PCC today formed a special committee on self-governance to explore the possibilities of an alternative to panchayati raj as the system is not applicable to the state.
Congress leader and former minister for panchayati raj, Mani Shankar Aiyar, who chaired the meeting as a special invitee here, said the special committee on local self-governance in Meghalaya formed today would examine how grassroot governance can benefit the people of the state.
PCC president Friday Lyngdoh is the chairman of the committee.
As Meghalaya has autonomous district councils according to the Sixth Schedule, the state is exempted from the panchayati raj system and thus unable to avail itself of the funds and schemes under the system.
“We have prepared some documents and discussions will be held on the ways and means to take the administration closer to the people,” Aiyar said.
The committee is expected to form a grassroot body similar to a panchayat so that several central schemes can reach the people of the state.
“We neither want to touch the traditional institutions of Meghalaya, nor undermine the traditional leaders of the village communities. Our intention is to further strengthen the local people in Meghalaya,” Aiyar said.
