In a historic move the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council on Thursday passed the anti-defection bill in the winter session of the council. The winter session began today and the bill was passed by voice vote. Before that a prolong discussion was held in the House about the bill.
Participating in the discussion Congress member of the Council Nirmal Langthasa cited the example of total merger of a party to another that took place in Arunachal Pradesh. He raised a question about whether the bill would be able to check this menace or not.
Former CEM of the Council Debajeet Thousen while participating in the discussion said that the bill had both merits and demerits. As there was no party system earlier after the passing of the bill it will now be at the discretion of the high command. It would now be interesting to watch whether the bill would serve the purpose or not. He also criticised the ruling party for not convening an all-party meet before tabling the bill in the House.
The hill district has witnessed frequent change of guards in the Council. The district council was set up in on April 29, 1952 and subsequently the Autonomous Council came into existence in 1991. The passing of the bill is historic as for the first time the anti-defection bill is passed by the Council to make it more stable.
Frequent changes of political camps by the members of the Council have stalled the progress of the district. Situation has come to such a pass that even Council employees are not getting their salaries since January last. This has forced the employees to even sell of their household belongings to save their families from starvation.
AGP member Prakanta Warisa raised the salary issue in the House. Replying to his question CEM Debolal Garlosa said the Council is trying to sort out the problem. A resolution regarding the Autonomous state was also adopted by the House.
On the April 29, 1952, the District Council, as an autonomous body came into being which marked a new era in the history of Dima Hasao. Initially the District Council got on the saddle of autonomy with 12 elected members, 4 nominated members and a Secretary; with the provision of Chief Executive Member and its 2 Executive Members. The Sub- Divisional Officer (Civil), Dima Hasao Sub Division occupied as Ex- Officio Chairman of the N.C Hills Autonomous District Council at that time for 6 years as per provision of Assam Autonomous Districts (Constitution of Districts Council) Rules 1951.
Since then it went through a process of tremendous expansion in both in its structure and content. During the Second District Council 1957-1962 and the third District Council 1962-1968, many shapes of administrative set up to the machineries of Council establishment have been moulded by creating different departments in the Council, such as PWD, Forest, Primary education, Planning & development ( now Rural Development ), Market, Transport & Workshop etc., though Revenue, judicial, Legislative department were initially started during the first District Council as envisaged under Paragraph 3 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.