MDCs should quit if Govt formulates law to empower traditional heads: HYC

SHILLONG: The HYC has asked all the MDCs of KHADC and JHADC to quit if the State Government comes up with a law to empower the traditional heads.
“The 60 MDCs should resign if the state government attempts to infringe upon the powers of the ADCs,” HYC president Peter Lawai said.
Lawai also sought to know from the State Government, the number of certificates issued by ‘village councils’ and ‘panchayat committees’ since the passing of the Ordinance.
The HYC president was referring to the Harijan Panchayat Council, Jhalupara Panchayat Council, Telecom Welfare Association and others which are “illegally issuing residential certificates”.
It may be mentioned that the HYC has in the past raised the issue of alleged illegal functioning of these panchayat committees.
“Instead of empowering the local traditional heads, the ordinance has empowered these panchayat committees by failing to clearly define who is a Rangbah Shnong,” he said.
According to Lawai, the ordinance has also encouraged self-styled headmen by stating that a headman is a person who is recognised by the residents of a particular village.
Meanwhile, HYC organising secretary Nickson Dohling informed that the council will take out a procession from Mawlai to the Main Secretariat on September 14 to appeal before the State Government to revoke the Ordinance and not to formulate a fresh draft Bill to empower the traditional heads including the Rangbah Shnong.
During the procession, the HYC would also appeal the Government to allow the Village Administration Bill to become an act so that Rangbah Shnong is empowered in the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills region.