SHILLONG: The traditional chiefs under the umbrella of the Federation of Khasi States and Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya have urged the KHADC to formulate a separate Village Administration Bill for the various Hima and Elaka. The Council of Chiefs also suggested that the KHADC should notify the names of the villages and village courts under the various Hima and Elaka in the proposed Bill.
The demand comes in the wake of the recent High Court ruling on the role of the Rangbah Shnong.
“We want a separate village administration bill for the various Hima and Elaka. The Council can also list and notify the names of the villages/ village courts under each Hima /Elaka in the proposed Bill,” the traditional chiefs stated in a memorandum submitted to the KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum here on Wednesday.
The traditional chiefs felt that the need for a separate law arises from the fact that the customary practice and convention of the various Hima and Elaka are different from one another.
Meanwhile, the traditional chiefs also urged the KHADC to initiate discussion with the State Government on the response of the MHA to the memorandums from the Federation of Khasi States vis-a-vis the proposed Amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
During the meeting with the CEM, the Council of Chiefs also called for the need to convene a joint meeting of all the members of the District Council with the Council of Chiefs for greater clarity and discussion of the Constitutional Amendments proposed by the KHADC to the State Government.
The traditional chiefs also proposed that alternatively, the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement August 17, 1948, signed and accepted between the Khasi States and the Government of India, must find mention either in the proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule or by way of inclusion of a separate Thirteenth Schedule and/or by constitution of a party less Regional Council (for traditional chiefs), so as to include and provide political space to the party less institutions of the Khasi States.
The traditional chief also called for the constitution of a KHADC all party committee with representatives from the Federation of Khasi States, to be chaired by the CEM, to facilitate discussions and suggestions in common interest between the KHADC and the Federation of Khasi States.
“We would also like to urge upon both the Council and State Government to pass resolutions urging the Government of India to fulfill the solemn national commitments made on the attainment of Indian,” the traditional chiefs stated.
Earlier, hundreds of chiefs gathered in-front of the KHADC premises as CEM Adelbert Nongrum, while addressing the gathering, said, “This is a wakeup call for us to be more prepared and for protecting the future generation.”
While referring to the Village Administration Bill, the KHADC CEM said that the Council will formulate the bill in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Constitution of India which has empowered the Council under the Sixth Schedule.