SHILLONG: The executive member in charge of the Elaka department, Latiplang Kharkongor, has expressed concern over the application of Central Acts in the jurisdiction of Khasi Hima and called for a meeting of the traditional heads to discuss the matter on September 13.
Fifty-four traditional heads comprising Sordars and Wahadadars within the jurisdiction of the Khasi Hima will attend the meeting.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, he said the meeting would discuss the role of the traditional heads in connection with the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Kharkongor said matters relating to the Standstill Agreement and the Annexed Agreement would also be discussed in the meeting.
“There is a need to incorporate the Annexed Agreement and the Standstill Agreement in the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the Federation of 25 Khasi states signed the conditional Standstill Agreement on the July 16, 1947 and the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement (IOA &AA) which was accepted by the Government of India on August 17, 1948.
He pointed out that under the Annexed Agreement, subjects such as land, forest, judiciary, legislature, tax and excise belong to the Khasi states whereas the subjects of defence, currency and external affairs were with the central government.
“It should be made clear whether the agreement still stands or not,” he asserted.
He criticised the state government, saying it was not serious in dealing with the affairs of the district council.
