The Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on Thursday saw the change of guard with United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Moonlight Pariat taking over as the new chief executive member (CEM).
This is the third time that members of the present Council have changed the CEM since 2014 till date.
While Thombot Shiwat was the first to take over as CEM after the District Council elections held in 2014, Andrew Awhai Shullai replaced Shiwat last year.
Pariat, one of the senior most members of the Council replaced Shullai of the Congress as he was elected unopposed to the top post.
The election to the CEM post was held after a no-confidence motion was moved in the House against an Executive Committee led by Shullai.
However, members of the National People’s Party (NPP) did not support the no-confidence motion. Later, the name of Pariat as the candidate for the CEM post was proposed by six members including the outgoing CEM, Shullai.
As there was no other contender vying for the post, JHADC chairman Arborhima Darnei, declared that Pariat was elected unopposed to the post.
Interestingly, apart from UDP members who supported Pariat, Congress members as well as one BJP member also worked together and supported Pariat.
The 29-member Council comprised of 10 UDP members, 10 NPP members, 8 Congress members and 1 BJP member.
While felicitating the new CEM, most members requested the new CEM to ensure completion of the Iawmusiang Shopping Complex project within his tenure.
Pariat in his speech in the House assured of finding out ways and means to improve the functioning of the district council, which is reeling under financial crisis at present, while also assuring that he would take up the matter to ensure speedy release of the second installment for the construction of Iawmusiang Complex.
He said that once the construction of Iawmusiang Shopping Complex is completed, will also be one of the sources for revenue generation for the Council.