State govt to formulate laws to define role of headman

SHILLONG: Expressing his government’s concern over the recent ruling of the High Court of Meghalaya questioning the role of the Rangbah Shnong, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday indicated that the State government will formulate its own laws to define the powers and functions of the Rangbah Shnong.
“We are currently examining legal and constitutional provisions to find out if the State government is empowered to formulate such legislation that would address the current stalemate arising out of the ruling of the High Court,” Sangma said in his very first reaction on the issue.
The Chief Minister also made it clear that even though the district council was the appropriate authority to come up with such legislations as empowered by the Sixth Schedule, the Constitution stipulates that the law passed by the State will supersede any legislation passed by the Council on the same subject.
He also revealed that the State Government was examining all possibilities to address this issue including an appeal against the High Court ruling.
“We will come up with a solution to the ongoing crisis at the earliest,” he said.
It may be reminded here that the State government has sought clarification from the KHADC on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Village Administration) Bill, 2014 that aims to define the powers and function of the Rangbah Shnong.