By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The KHADC Executive Committee has decided to refer the Village Administration Bill, 2013 to the Select Committee after several MDCs objected to the passing of the bill in its present form.
As soon as the Executive Member (EM) in charge Elaka Lamphrang Blah tabled the Bill on the floor of House on the first day of its Summer session on Tuesday, several MDCs opposed the move as they feel it suffered from various lacunae.
The MDCs demanded that the Bill should be referred to the Select Committee for plugging the loopholes.
Taking cognizance to demand, the EC constituted the Select Committee with EM Elaka as the chairman.
The others members of the Committee are Nongthymmai MDC Latiplang Kharkongor, Mawkyrwat MDC Enbin K Raswai, Jaiaw MDC Adelbert Nongrum and EM in charge Finance Antonio War. KHADC secretary W Syiemlieh is the member secretary of the committee.
When contacted, KHADC CEM Pynshngain N Syiem said the EC has directed the committee to complete its task before the next session.
“We are contemplating to table the bill in the next session after incorporating the recommendations of the Select Committee,” Syiem said.
The sole objective for formulating this bill is to protect and empower the traditional institutions especially the Dorbar Shnong in conformity with the prevailing traditional system and custom of the Khasi.
“So far the role of the Dorbar Shnong has not been clearly defined. We are planning to clearly define on the role of the Dorbar Shnong in this proposed bill,” KHADC CEM said.
He said that through this bill, the Dorbar Shnong would also be empowered to legislate, adjudicate and regulate the social, cultural and economic development of their society through a participatory manner which is sensitive to the past, present and future.
Besides providing transparent and accountable governance, he said the proposed daft bill has dwelt at length on the role of the Dorbar Shnong towards the protection of the environment besides a host of other issues.
“The Dorbar Shnong can no longer be silent spectator to the activities which results in the destruction of the environment. The Dorbar Shnong should put its foot down and say no to these illegal activities which are a threat to our existence in this planet,” Syiem said.
The CEM said if the Village Administration Bill, 2013 is passed, the Government authorities like the Deputy Commissioner and the police will have to recognise it as per law. He also said that if the Bill becomes a law then there will be transparency in the functioning of the office of the Rangbah Shnong.