Why the Centre delays nod to VABs?

SHILLONG:  The major hurdle in giving nod to the Village Administration Bill of KHADC by the Centre is the matter related to issuing of residential certificates, which according to legal experts, can be done only by Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, SDOs or BDOs.
An official source said on Monday that in section 5(a) of the Village Administration Bill passed by KHADC, there is a reference to issuing residential certificates by the headmen which, however, can be given only by the district administration.
Another contentious issue is matter related to registration of births and deaths, labour, outsiders as per the clause 3 and 10 of section 5 (a) of the VAB.
“These subjects are not within the legislative competency of District Council which was formed as per sixth schedule as these are covered by the Central Act”, the official added.
As far as the Village Administration Bill of JHADC concerned,the only objection is regarding the creation of new Elaka.
“Creation of new Elaka requires discussion and consultation with existing Elaka as per current practice”, the official source said, adding that the proposed Bill, however, says that a new Elaka can be created.
According to the source, Dolois are objecting to this provision in the Bill and they even wrote to the Meghalaya Governor in this regard.
The source added that there is a need to omit or modify the objectionable clauses in both the Bills.