SHILLONG: TUR (Thma U Rangli Juki), a progressive peoples’ group, has opposed the promulgation of the Meghalaya Local Administration (Empowerment of Traditional Institutions, Traditional Bodies, Headmen in Governance and Public Delivery System) Ordinance, 2015 and reiterated that it should not be further promulgated or regularized into a law which merely empowers the traditional headmen. It further refused to accept any new bill that merely reproduces the flawed Ordinance.
TUR showed contempt at the action of Meghalaya Governor who according to it seemed uncertain of his duties and responsibilities and is unnecessarily dilly dallying with his options of assenting the bill, sending it for presidential reference or returning it to the representatives with concrete observations and suggestion for further consideration and amendments where needed.
TUR also expressed concern over the shirking of responsibilities by the various organs of the state, the traditional heads and the “fiasco played out by a BJP-appointed Governor and a Congress-led Government at the expense of the citizens”.
“It is apparent that the VAB is in limbo owing to the fact that the state government is not earnestly pursuing the passage of this bill and is instead creating more confusion by confiscating powers and weakening the District Council and Dorbar Shnong. Adding to the chaos, all political parties, headmen and their organisations are engaging in meaningless dialogue and consultations to no avail,” the TUR said adding that it opposed the Ordinance or any new bill which merely replicates the Ordinance and negates a comprehensive law that empowers the Dorbar Shnong and not merely the traditional headman.
TUR reiterates that while statutory structures to existing local self government at the village level in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills is the need of the hour, it is imperative that such a legislation ensures devolution of powers to Ki Khun Ki Hajar or the people at the village level, participatory, inclusive and deliberative mechanisms which are gender just and transparent and accountable (Contd on P-10)
TUR opposes..
(Contd from P-3) democratic self-government that is structurally and financially independent.
Lastly, TUR demanded that the state government should facilitate the constitutional procedures of passage of a bill such that the District Council can make necessary changes to the VAB so that it can be passed at the earliest without “harming the citizens of the state”.
