SHILLONG: The headmen on Thursday took take their fight over the implementation of Village Administration Bills to Delhi. A delegation of the traditional heads under the banner Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SKNSKBH) on Thursday met Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi.
They also submitted a memorandum apprising Rijiju of the need for early assent by the Governor to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Village Administration) Bill, 2015 passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council as well as the Village Administration Bill passed by the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
The delegation members included W. Kharshiing, president, R L Blah, general secretary along with executive members of the Synjuk, E Lytan, E L Nongrang, E G Kharbani, Gilbert G Laloo, S S Langi, and Rangsan Sohmat. VGK Kynta, senior advocate, as well as E K Sutnga, advocate, joined the delegation. The Synjuk, while bringing the issue before the Union Minister of State, expressed dissatisfaction over the way the Governor has been handling the matter and also slammed the delay in giving assent to the Bills in spite of the fact they have been passed by the legislature of both the ADCs which have the competence under the mandate of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
The Synjuk also raised the issue of referring the Bill to the Union Home Ministry by the Governor which, according to them, is unusual and not in consonance with the mandate of the Sixth Schedule.
The Synjuk also brought to Rijiju’s notice the undue delay in giving assent to the Bill of the JHADC even thought the Governor supposedly told the headmen’s body that the Bill had no flaws.
The Synjuk said that it will continue to pursue the matter and is meeting various senior officials of the Home Ministry amongst others on Friday.
The Union Minister of State, while expressing concern over the matter, assured the Synjuk that he will look into it at the earliest.
