SHILLONG: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya on Monday sought the President’s intervention for constitutional recognition and protection of the traditional institutions of Meghalaya by way of inclusion of the proposed 13th Schedule within the Constitution of India.
The Chiefs wanted the inclusion of a thirteenth schedule in Constitution for a separate ‘Party-less Federal or Regional Council’ so as to provide constitutional space, recognition and protection for the traditional tribal institutions.
A delegation of the tribal chiefs, who met President Pranab Mukherjee here on Monday, submitted a memorandum apprising him of the constitutional anomalies which urgently need the attention of the Centre for better functioning of these institutions (25 Khasi states).
According to the memorandum, on attainment of independence, the federation of Khasi states acceded to the then Dominion of India by signing the Stand Still Arrangement. The Instrument of Accession with its Annexed Agreement was officially accepted by the then Government of India on August 17, 1948.
“The conditions agreed upon in the Annexed Agreement, relationships with the Government of India, as per the Annexed Agreement accepted by the Government of India on August 17, 1948, would have to be determined,” the memorandum stated.
The delegation of Chiefs also impressed upon the need to protect and preserve the prevailing system of local administration in Meghalaya (25 Khasi states) which is exercised in the form of Syiemship, Lyngdohship, Sirdarship, Dolloiship, Wahadadar, Nokmaship and the existing five-tier system of administration-Dorbar-iing (family) Dorbar Kur (Clan), Village Dorbar (village level), Dorbar Raid (Commune level) and the Dorbar Hima (Chief’s Dorbar)– should be preserved and further strengthened.
The delegation urged the President to see that the instrument of Accession and Agreement executed by the 25 states with the Government of India is implemented at the earliest for the smooth and efficient functioning and satisfaction of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people. The memorandum further stated that the tribal traditional institutions of Meghalaya under the 6th Schedule require central recognition and support to accelerate development.