Editor,
It is a creditable endeavour for the Khasi Hills District Council (KHADC) to have passed the Village Administration Bill which will further enhance the status of the Dorbar Shnong and empower the traditional institutions, but the Government has delayed its approval.
Perhaps there are reasons for doing so. The Bill has many flaws and deserves critical examination. It is in itself very exclusive. The entire scope of the Bill focuses only on village administration as per the definition. What about town areas or Shillong city itself? Does Dorbar Shnong not exist in these areas or are these areas out of the purview of the Sixth Schedule and therefore completely outside of the District Council’s jurisdiction? Do these areas not elect their MDCs? Even a single word in the Bill can cause controversy in the future. Redundancy and some idealistic concept prevail in this Bill which is not going to contribute anything for effective administration in the society. It lacks practicality (e.g. sections 6, 7, 15…etc). In fact, the Bill was passed by the District Council to empower age-old institution of the Dorbar Shnong and its executive members for effective governance in every locality, but 99.9% of the executive members and the Rangbah Shnong are ignorant about the Bill itself. So, even if enforced, it will remain only in pen and paper. If the representatives are elected by the people for the people, they have their duty to make known to the people about the law before passing it and seek public opinions, criticism, expert advice…etc, especially when it is concerned with daily public administration.
The preamble is well defined and describes the purposes and objectives of the Bill but fails in some of its contents. For instance, the Bill should not add extra duties unnecessarily: Section 6 of this bill that defines about the “The Rangbah” is but an extraordinary ritual which has never been a prevalent custom in the Khasi society and a bit irrational. As time goes, in this modern generation, extra duties without remuneration are not only difficult but impossible, and the Bill does not speak of any kind of remuneration.
The Bill is not pragmatic and can become a bone of contention in public administration instead of being systematic and effective. We cannot deny that those who prepared this Bill have done their best and burnt the midnight oil but it is imperfect. It lacks proper research, expert advice, analysis and enough criticism (from local people).
The Bill should be practical in every aspect by upholding the prevalent customs according to the times and of course not to contravene with any statutory law. We need this Bill to come into effect but not in its present state. Hence the Government should refrain from giving its approval and the KHADC should consider withdrawing the Bill, revising and reframing it. And, before it finally passes public discussion and critiquing is imperative.
Peter A Dohkrut
Shillong – 17
Email: [email protected]
What a relief!
Editor,
I am very relieved by the recent ruling of the Hon’ble Meghalaya High Court, curtailing the powers and functions of the Rangbah Shnong (Headmen) in Meghalaya, I appreciate the High Court for its concern for the general welfare and liberty of the people of Meghalaya. It may be noted that from time immemorial, in these tribal hills of Meghalaya governance is dominated by chieftains. The concept of Headmen was a creation of the Assam Government. But even then their role was restricted to social welfare activities in respective localities, such as cleaning drives (pynkhuid shnong) community feasts (bamkhana shnong) attending to and helping the bereaved families in the locality and the like. On attainment of statehood some hypocritical elements (Rangbah Shnong) in collusion with petty politicians and in league with spineless administrators tried to assert their authority and flexed their muscles in the localities to the extent of becoming parallel authorities by granting certificates, collecting money, ostracizing families, evicting people, inciting violence, creating politics and hatred in the society but without responsibility and accountability.
I stay in a rented house in a locality of Shillong, adjacent to the residence of a Rangbah Dong where I see people queuing up every morning at his residence for certificates, NOC, recommendations, etc.,’ in exchange for fees. Now as the news has spread that the illegal practice of the Rangbah Shnong/Dong has been taken serious note of by the High Court, the morning queue in my neighbour’s residence has suddenly vanished. For obtaining a mobile phone connection we need a certificate from the Rangbah Shnong! Even for getting approval by the District Medical and Health Office (DMHO) and Directorate of Health Services (DHS) for medical reimbursement by the State Government, we need the Rangbah Shnong’s certificate. Is this not nonsense of the highest order? Are we governed by these power hungry self-styled institutions or by the codified Law of the Land? I write this letter to urge the Deputy Commissioners of Meghalaya to wake up from their slumber and to exercise their legal authority.
Yours etc.,
BL Lyngdoh,
Shillong-8