By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Rangbah Shnongs of Shillong and its suburbs including the Syiem (Chieftain) of Hima Mylliem, Latho Manik Syiem will meet the Chief Executive Member of KHADC PN Syiem soon to discuss several issues pertaining to the Meghalaya Urban Development Department Notification of 1990 at the same time demanding de-notification of the said order.
The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting here on Monday.
The meeting was convened by Nongthymmai MDC, Latiplang Kharkongor with an intention to make the Rangbah Shnongs aware of the various acts and bills passed by the state government which could have an adverse effect on the traditional practices.
In a significant resolution, the meeting decided to demand deletion of Paragraph 12 (A) and 20 of the 6th Schedule which states that the District Council has no powers over the laws passed by the state government. “Many laws and bills including the Meghalaya Community Participation Bill (MCPB), 2010 and the proposed draft Meghalaya Village Council Act, 2011 of the State Government will put the District Council on the verge of extinction”, Kharkongor later said.
“All the powers of the District Council have been by-passed”, Kharkongor said adding that in cognizance of this current situation, “We have unanimously decided to ask the CEM to call a special session of the KHADC to discuss these laws and bills which were passed with a sole intention to forcefully snatch the powers of the District Council.”
The Rangbah Shnongs have also urged the Ar Hima (Two Kingdoms)-Hima Mylliem and Hima Khyrim — to hold an emergent Dorbar Hima to make the people aware of the notification and get their views on this matter.
Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Latho Manik Syiem assured that he would hold an emergent Dorbar soon while Hima Khyrim is yet to reply to the above request.
About 88 representatives of the various localities of Shillong and its suburbs who were present on this day were enlighten on the Meghalaya Urban Development Department Notification of 1990 and the Meghalaya Building Bye-law 2011 by the Chairman of the Dorbar ki Khlieh Nongsynshar, John F Kharshiing who spoke at length about the effects of these laws on the traditional practice of governance in the state.