KSU backs headmen in opposing draft bill

SHILLONG: The KSU has thrown its weight behind the ongoing campaign of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynñiewtrep (SKNSKBH) opposing the proposal of the State Government to come up with a fresh draft bill to empower the traditional heads of the State.
“We urge the State Government not to infringe upon the jurisdiction of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). The authority to empower the traditional heads should remain with the ADCs,” KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa stated in a statement issued here on Monday. Jyrwa alleged that the current attitude of the State Government indicates that it is trying to dissolve the ADCs.
The KSU leader also expressed surprise over the delay in giving assent to the Village Administration Bills passed by the KHADC and JHADC by Governor V Shanmuganathan.
“There is no justification in this. We are surprised that the Governor went ahead to seek views from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the matter. We strongly suspect that there is something behind this continuous delay in the approval of the two bills,” Jyrwa said.
Clarifying on their earlier stand opposing the deletion of two important clauses from KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2015, he said, “The union had voiced opposition to the deletion of the two clauses from the present bill. But later we realized that the situation would aggravate if there is further delay in turning the VAB into an Act. We would like to leave it to the wisdom of the concerned ADCs to bring an appropriate amendment to further strengthen the VAB in the near future.”
Meanwhile, the KSU general secretary also said that the union is opposed to the encroachment by MUDA into the scheduled areas.