Empowering traditional bodies
Tura: The Nokmas and local traditional heads of Garo Hills had a detailed discussion with the State Government representatives in connection with the move to institutionalize and empower the traditional bodies at SMELC Building, Dakopre here on Friday.
Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, Minister for Social Welfare, Deborah Marak, State Chief Secretary P B O Warjri, Additional Chief Secretary, K S Kropha, Chief Executive Member, Chairman and other members of the GHADC, members of the Council of Nokmas, officials of Law and District Council Affairs department, besides the MLAs, Nokmas, local traditional heads and members of the civil society organizations participated in the interaction programme organized by the West Garo Hills District Administration.
Earlier, the same exercise was also held in Shillong for the traditional heads and bodies of Khasi and Jaintia Hills which culminated in constitution of a committee headed by DD Lapang, Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya.
The intention of the discussion was to have a productive engagement with the local heads representing various traditional institutions as to how to move ahead with complete clarity in partnership with them in all developmental initiatives.
The meeting assumes significance in terms of certain ‘confusion’ arising out of High Court ruling which barred headmen from issuing NOCs.
The meeting stressed the need to have a legal framework to effectively empower the traditional institutions to exercise administrative and judicial powers in resolving petty disputes in the villages.
After the deliberations, it was found that there was complete unanimity on the need to institutionalize the traditional bodies and there will be a number of sittings taking into consideration the views of all the stakeholders to come up with a complete mechanism for the same.
Giving his views during the deliberations, Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh felt that in absence of proper laws, the traditional bodies and customary practices were seen clashing with the law of the land.
Parliamentary Secretary, Cherak W Momin, GHADC CEM, Alphonse A. Sangma, GHADC Chairman, P K Sangma, Adviser to the Council of Nokmas Prof. Milton Sangma and MDC L R Ch Momin were among others who participated in the deliberations.
President of the Council of Nokmas, Skylance G Momin gave a presentation seeking constitutional recognition of Nokmaship and empowerment at the grassroots level and also inclusion of additional members from Garo Hills in the Committee formed for institutionalization of traditional bodies.
Chief Secretary P BO Warjri, Additional Chief Secretary K S Kropha and Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi also shared their views on the matter.