Flaws in Village Administration Bill
SHILLONG: The KHADC has decided to seek clarification from the State Government on reported flaws in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Village Administration) Bill, 2014.
The Council is compelled to do so since the letter which it received from the District Council Affairs (DCA) department did not specify the flaws in the Bill.
“The state government’s letter was very vague,” the KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum told newsmen here on Tuesday.
He said that the Council would urge the State Government to give in details the discrepancies so that the Council can rectify it.
“We will send the letter on Wednesday itself,” Nongrum said.
As per the letter which the KHADC received from the District Council Affairs (DCA) department, it was stated on perusal of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Village Administration) Bill, 2014, it appears that nowhere has the Bill specified regarding the mode and procedure of establishment of the Dorbar Shnong and on the face of it, it appears that it is lacking the ingredients of democratic aspects.
Further, the letter stated that on close examination regarding the duties, accountability and responsibility of the Dorbar Shnong and Rangbah Shnong are certainly in conflict and duplicity to that of the State government and other existing Acts and Rules of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
“In view of the above observations, the Bill is returned herewith for further examination and for taking appropriate action at your end,” the letter stated.
Meanwhile, the sub-committee of five Dorbar Shnong and the UDP led by Bindo Mathew Lanong submitted its proposals to amend the village administration Bill to the KHADC CEM on Tuesday
While speaking to newsmen after the meeting with Nongrum, Lanong said that the sub-committee has pointed out some glaring flaws in the Bill which need to be rectified.
According to Lanong, they have pointed out that clause 18 of the bill, which speaks about the ceremony of ‘tehrangbah’ – where the sons of a village who attained the age of 18 years, has to be recognized by the dorbar shnong, is something which is uncommon and not required.
On the clause which talks about constitution of Village Development Council (VDC), Lanong said, ” We felt that having a VDC within the dorbar shnong will bring unnecessary conflict and confusion”.
He also said that they have pointed out to combined Paragraph 5 and 5A together since it is the same thing.
