Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenant Bill, 2013
SHILLONG: The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (SKRS) has decided to convene a general meeting of all Dorbar Shnong within and outside Shillong to deliberate in detail on the draft of the Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenant Bill, 2013.
“We are planning to hold this general meeting by the end of this month,” SKRS president Teibor Shanpru informed after the meeting of the office bearers here on Thursday.
He said that they would take a consensus of all the Dorbar Shnong before taking a final call whether to oppose or accept the proposed draft.
According to Shanpru, the Executive Committee (EC) had earlier rejected the proposed tenancy bill since it suffers from various lacunae.
While the Government is claiming that the Tenancy Bill would help to curb Influx, he said that the draft is silent on the issue of influx.
“The proposed bill is also undermining the traditional bodies including the Dorbar Shnong which is unacceptable. One must understand that the traditional bodies function as per the existing customs and practices,” Shanpru said.
SKRS president said that the proposed tenancy bill was against the customary laws.
The SKRS had earlier boycotted the inauguration of the public consultation exercise on the proposed draft which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
The Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Nongthymmai Pyllun, Shillong, a constituent of 13 Dorbar Shnong of Nongrim Hills, Nongshilliang, Pohkseh, Rynjah, Lapalang, Lumbatngen, Lumiawblot, Demthring, Nongkhyriem, Lawjynriew, Lumsohphoh, Lumdiengsoh and Lumpyngngad, had also opposed the proposed tenancy bill.
Dorbar Shnong Pommura opposes bill
Questioning the efficiency of the proposed Tenancy Bill in tackling influx, the Dorbar Shnong Pommura has stated that this bill, instead of empowering the indigenous community, will step on the power and authority of the Dorbar Shnong.
According to the General Secretary of the Dorbar Shnong Pommura, Really S Nongspung, the decision of the government to enforce the proposed Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill 2013 will restrict the local traditional bodies from using its power.
The members of the Dorbar has unanimously decided to oppose this bill stating that this bill will have not be effective enough in as far as curbing influx is concerned in the State.
“The decision to let any tenants stay in the locality is upto the Dorbar Shnong and not the government, because it is the Dorbar which can give the permission for anyone to be part of the village or locality,” Nongspung said.