Garo Hills Council polls deferred to April 12 in view of Assam assembly elections

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has decided to defer the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election to April 12 in view of the Assam assembly elections.

It was decided at a meeting of the Meghalaya Cabinet, chaired by chief minister Conrad K Sangma yesterday.

The election, earlier scheduled for April 9. The Assam assembly elections are scheduled to be held on March 27, April 1 and April 6.

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“Due to the 3rd phase of the #AssamAssemblyElections2021 on the 6th of April, 2021 in Lower Assam, Cabinet has decided to postpone the polling date of the GHADC General Elections from the 9th of April to the 12th of April 2021 to ensure smooth execution of the GHADC elections,” tweeted Sangma.

Lower Assam, including Goalpara and Kamrup districts, share inter-state border with Meghalaya. Polling in these districts will be held in the third phase on April 6.

The Meghalaya Cabinet also approved a scheme for grant of ex-gratia to victims, who were killed or became disabled due to incidents of mob violence and lynching in Meghalaya.

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If any person loses his or her life due to such incidents in Meghalaya, the next of kin will get Rs 2 lakh and those who suffer any physical disability, will get Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia.

“A scheme for grant of ex gratia payment to victims killed/disabled due to incidents of mob violence & lynching in Meghalaya was approved by Cabinet. For loss of life, Rs. 2 Lakhs will be given to the next of kin & Rs 1 Lakh to individuals who suffer any disability consequently,” Sangma tweeted.

The Meghalaya government has been busy doling out sops to the Garo Hills districts over the past month in view of the GHADC elections.