SHILLONG: KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum said the Executive Committee will urge the State Government to approve the Village Administration Bill during the meeting called by the Chief Minister to discuss the current ‘stalemate’ that arose out of the recent High Court ruling on powers of headmen.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has convened a meeting of the public representatives, traditional heads and concerned stakeholders to discuss the possibilities of formulating a legislation to empower traditional heads at the Yojana Bhavan here on Wednesday.
“We will impress upon the State Government to approve the Village Administration Bill at the earliest. There is no justification in delaying the approval of the bill which was passed about 10 months back,” Nongrum said after the Executive Committee (EC) meeting here on Tuesday.
“If the Government feels that there are flaws in the bill then it should have immediately reverted back to the Council for rectification,” he said adding that the State Government had sought a clarification on the bill only after pressure from various corners including the KHADC.
Nongrum observed that the passage of the bill was relevant in view of the ruling of the High Court which has questioned the role of the traditional heads in the State.
Meanwhile, the KHADC CEM urged upon MDCs of the opposition alliance (PDF) and the traditional heads to support the voice of the Council as far as the approval of the Village Bill is concerned.
He also slammed the proposed move of the State Government to come up with a legislation defining the powers and functions of Rangbah Shnong terming it an attempt to weaken the district councils.
