‘‘Council should issue Sanad to Rangbah Shnong’
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Sohra UDP MDC TW Chyne has called for a fresh amendment to the United Khasi Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment of the chiefs and headmen) Act, 1959 to make it mandatory for the Council to issue Sanad (appointment letter) to the elected Rangbah Shnong.
“It is not justified on part of the Hima or Elaka to issue the Sanad to the elected Rangbah Shnong. I strongly feel that there should be a fresh amendment to the Act for reverting back the power (of issuing the Sanad) to the Council as has been mandated in the Constitution,” Chyne said during the Question Hour of the ongoing budget session of the Council here on Thursday.
Echoing the same view, UDP Mawlai MDC Embhah Syiemlieh said, “It is pertinent that the power (of issuing the Sanad) should be reverted back to the Council as there are many self-styled Rangbah Shnong in areas dominated by non-tribals.”
“What concerns me most is that the Council is taking the residential certificates issued by such Rangbah Shnong as authentic documents for issuing trading and labour license,” Syiemlieh added.
In reply, Executive Member in charge Elaka Lamphrang Blah assured that he would look into the suggestion of the MDCs.
Earlier, Chyne had demanded that the Council should ask the Elaka and Hima to submit the list of Rangbah Shnong under their jurisdictions.
“I am surprised to know that presently only the Hima Mylliem submits the list of Rangbah Shnong to the Council,” Chyne said.