Functions

The Autonomous District Councils being autonomous bodies under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, the District Council Affairs Department of the State Government acts as the co-ordinating Department between the District Councils and other Government Departments of the State Government. At present, Meghalaya has three Autonomous District Councils - the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.

The functions and activities of the Department are broadly as follows:-

1. Conduct of General Elections and Bye-Elections to the District Councils in accordance with the provisions of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951.
2. Constitution of the District Councils after the General Elections to the District Councils - i.e. convening the First Session of the District Council(s) and the election of the Chairman thereafter.
3. Processing the Bills, Rules and Regulations framed/passed by the Autonomous District Councils for the assent or the approval of the Governor.
4. Processing and sanctioning of Grants-in-Aid to the District Councils from the State Government and the Government of India, including preparation of Budget Estimates.
5. Co-ordinating the proposals/works of the District Councils with the various Departments of the State Government and concerned Ministries of the Government of India.