Editor,
On the current controversy relating to the powers and functions of the Rangbah Shnong (Local Headman) in our state and the outcome of certain unconstitutional decisions taken by some Dorbar Shnong against their own residents, my stand has always been that, less of government is the best government and devolution of powers to the people directly from the state government to the local self governments at the grass-roots level or the Dorbar Shnong is needed to further empower the people to be involved in the developmental activities of the state.
But for the Dorbar Shnong to be empowered with administrative responsibilities, they have to undergo a drastic change for which a law is needed to be enacted by the state assembly to ensure uniformity and clarity in their powers and functions.
To join in this debate and discussion on this important subject I would like to offer some of my views and suggestions.
1. Firstly, the election of the office bearers of the Dorbar Shnong or any other form of Local Self Government in Meghalaya should no longer be through the raising of hands or by a “Proposed Panel” but conducted through a non-political party electoral possess of secret ballot like the election of church elders in some Christian denominations where the post of Rangbah Shnong, Secretary Shnong, Finance Secretary, etc are given to those with highest number of votes from both men and women against the respective posts and conducted by an authority duly recognised by law.
2. The terms of office should be fixed and uniform.
3. The income and expenditure should be audited as per rules of governance.
4. Formation of Dorbar Shnong or any other form of local self government should not be based on the whims and fancies of a section of the population but on a prescribed number of households/population in that particular area as per provisions of the law.
5. The provision of impeachment should also be included in the legislation.
6. And when the Dorbar Shnong is finally organised as local self government institutions as per law and taking into consideration the best of our traditional practices, the case of Direct Funding for these grassroots institutions and salary for the office bearers can be considered to make them full time institutions and more professional in their functioning to serve the general public.
Yours etc.,
Michael N. Syiem,
Via email
Court ruling and Rangbah Shnong
Editor,
Referring to the news of Headmen seeking Government recognition, it is sad indeed. This will lead to chaos, as at present the Rangbah Shnong are neither elected democratically nor is there a system put in place for the same. At present the system is one of nominating by an all male Executive Committee at best and syndication by few at worst. This, in the context of the tradition, has never been in existence till 1979 as Introduced by late Martin Narayan Majaw when he was Minister in charge of Community and Rural Development. It was a populist policy at that time.
It will be a fiasco to regularise a system that needs overhauling first and all criteria laid down for checks and balances. I would presume the Honorable High Court must have gone into details of what prevails and ails the society at large before giving its ruling. The Court has only stopped a practice that needs examination of its working and a re-engineering of its functions and powers before anarchy reigns, if it has not already. The powers that be ought to introspect and seek to brainstorm with the community and society at large without any prejudice or bias towards one or the other community. We live in a global village and should start thinking globally and act locally.
I write this with a concern that we are driving ourselves towards an abyss which may take us into a land of no return.
This is without any prejudice to the local leaders at present, but let us not cry wolf when there is none or the wolf will become a reality and no amount of efforts will save our present and our children’s future.
Yours etc.,
David King,
Camp Lampang, Thailand.
No politicking please!
Editor,
The verdict of the Honorable Meghalaya High Court relating to Rangbah Shnong acting as extra constitutional authority in our society should ring loud in the ears of politicians, political pressure groups and others who seem to join the bandwagon of protesting against the Order. There have been many occasions when a village dorbar would violate the fundamental rights of individuals and these have been reported in a number of local newspapers. Hence the action of the High Court is a welcome step. Unfortunately, political parties instead of tying up the loopholes and codifying laws that clearly spell out the role of the Dorbars are trying instead to fish in troubled waters with the hope of deriving political mileage for their future careers. Hope sense prevails in their minds.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3