SHILLONG: Maitshaphrang Movement convener Michael N Syiem on Thursday demanded that the Village Administration Bill, 2014 should have provision for election of the Rangbah Shnong or headmen through ‘secret ballot’.
“The present system where the headman is elected by raising hands defeats the very spirit of democracy,” Syiem said while talking to newsmen here.
He said that if the VAB failed to address the present deficiencies in the election process then it will pave way for the Rangbah Shnong to continue to misuse their powers once the law is implemented.
Pointing to the deficiency in Section 8 Clause 1, of the VAB, Syiem said the bill only speaks of nomination, election and confirmation of Rangbah Shnong.
“It does not clearly state whether the election of the Rangbah Shnong will be done by way of secret ballot. Unless, this clause is make clear, the problem will continue,” the MSM chief said.
He also claimed that people wanted to become Rangbah Shnong since the Central government was pouring thousand of crores for rural development in Meghalaya and the funds go from the Block to the headmen.
Syiem also stated that the High Court ruling came in view of the misuse of powers by the headmen in expelling residents from the locality. Time and again, the headmen have been found to be engaged in depriving the people of PDS, ration cards and others benefits.
He stated that in order to empower the people the State Government should make laws so that people can directly take part in the development activities through local self government.
TUR demands removal of deficiencies in VAB
Demanding deletion of Section 19 of the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2014, Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) on Thursday said the bill suffered from various deficiencies which required rectification before it becomes an Act.
“There are many deficiencies in the present bill. If the bill is passed in the present form then it will hamper the interest of the community,” TUR member Angela Rangad said.
While referring to Section 19, she said that the section talks about ’emergency’ empowering the district council to suspend and supersede the village Dorbar at any point of time.
“We feel that the KHADC might misuse this Section to serve its own interest. Absolute power should not be given to the district council since there are possibilities of misuse of power,” she said, adding, “Our concern is that in the context of Meghalaya, which is rich in mineral resources especially Uranium, the section 19 of the VAB can be used against the people.”
Rangad, however, appreciated the bill passed by the JHADC, and said, “In the JHADC (Village Administration Bill) there is no such clause like Section 19.”
She also appreciated the fact that the JHADC had empowered women in its bill.
“Sadly, the KHADC has not incorporated provision in the bill for empowerment of women,” she lamented.
Rangad questioned the reason behind omission of the Raid Mynsaw, located along the disputed inter-state border with Assam, from Appendix II of the Bill.
“Is this a ‘clerical error’ or a ‘mischievous design’ by the KHADC? How can they be so careless and yet demand that the bill should be as it is,” she said while warning that such error can cost the State dearly.
Stating that as many as 16 major amendments were required, she reiterated TUR’s demand for a rethink on the bill and to take the views of all stakeholders while drafting and framing such a bill.
