LOKMAN HUSSAIN Vs. GOVERNMENT OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN this writ petition, the petitioner is assailing the order dated 17.05.2013 passed by the Block Development Officer (BDO) and Programme Officer MGNREGS, Selsella C&RD Block, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya (Annexure -A3 to the writ petition) for approving the election held on 03.04.2013 for appointment of the present President, Secretary and Women member of the Village Employment Council (for short 'VEC ').

(2.) HEARD Mr. A Khan, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. KP Bhattacharjee, learned GA appearing for the respondents No.1 -3. None appears for the respondent No.4 inspite of proper service of notice of the present writ petition to him.

(3.) IT is stated that Burirjhar village convened a Gram Sabha meeting on 23.09.2012 for electing the members of the VEC. In that meeting, the household heads of the Burirjhar village also participated and unanimously elected the present petitioner as President, Shri.Ahmed Hussain, as Secretary and Smti.Zesmina Khatun, as Women member of the VEC. The said election dated 23.09.2012 for electing the petitioner and others as President, Secretary and Women Member of the VEC of Burirjhar village respectively was also approved by the Block Development Officer (BDO) & Programme Officer MGNREGS, Selsella C&RD Block, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya (respondent No.3) vide order dated 29.10.2012. It is also stated in the writ petition that the scenario in the village i.e. Burirjhar village had been changed because of the Assembly Election, 2013 and as a result, it is alleged that there was arbitrary political interference in the management of the village, distribution of the scheme and also for dissolution of the VEC, in which the petitioner is the President. It is also further alleged that the villagers had an apprehension that the VEC for which the petitioner is the President would be dissolved. Accordingly, they filed a representation dated 10.05.2013 signed by 158 household heads requesting the respondent No.3 not to dissolve the VEC under the President -ship of the petitioner, as the job card holders of the village did not have or do not have any complaint or grievances against the petitioner.