Grand Council lends support to Traditional Dorbar Bill

SHILLONG: The KHAD (Constitution of Council of Traditional Dorbar), Bill, 2016 which was passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) during its budget session recently, has received support from the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya.
Speaking to media persons on Monday, John F. Kharshiing, chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya said, “We are hoping for the State Government to support the Council of Traditional Dorbar Bill and expedite the process of it getting the assent of the Governor.”
It may be mentioned that the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya and the Samaritan Action for Social Transformation organized a workshop to deliberate on the ongoing conflict between the customary laws vis-à-vis  Constitution of India and also to discuss the recent Bill passed by the District Council.
“The Council of Traditional Dorbar will facilitate various levels of governance right from the Dorbar Raid to the Dorbar Hima to work together with the District Council in resolving many issues,” Kharshiing said. He termed the Bill as historic and said, “It is for the first time that a Bill of this nature has been passed. Earlier, the Council of Chiefs was demanding the creation of separate political space for the institutions.”
During the KHADC budget session, the introduction of the Bill was met with opposition by Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) members, Teilinia Thangkhiew and Pyniaid Sing Syiem who staged a walkout on the issue.
Through this Bill, the KHADC aims to unite the traditional institutions and to strengthen the traditional system of governance.