SHILLONG: As a Christmas gift to the people, the State Governor V. Shanmuganathan on Wednesday gave his assent to the much-awaited Village Administration Bill for Jaintia Hills on Wednesday.
Stating this here on Wednesday, the Deputy Chief Executive Member of JHADC A. Shullai said that the Governor’s Secretariat MS Rao passed this information to him.
Shullai said that the Governor fulfilled the assurance he had made regarding giving assent to the Bill before Christmas even as he appreciated the role of all stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the passing of the Bill.
Earlier, after the Governor had convened a special session on December 21 to make minor changes in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Establishment of Elaka and Village and Election, Appointment, Powers, Functions, and Jurisdiction of Dolloi, Sirdar, Waheh Shnong) Bill, 2015, the JHADC) unanimously approved the amendment of the Bill.
The Governor had asked for some minor modifications in the Bill including the definition of indigenous community. As per the definition, the people of War, Pnar, Bhoi , Khasi, and Biate have been defined as indigenous communities, Shullai said
He said that instead of Rangbah Shnong checking migrants, the JHADC has given the task to headmen to check foreigners
It was for the second time that the JHADC carried out amendment to the Bill during the special session.
The same Bill was amended earlier after the High Court of Meghalaya had de-recognized the powers and functions of the traditional heads.
The VAB related to KHADC is yet to get the assent of the Governor as the matter is still pending with the Union Home Ministry for the final clearance.
