SHILLONG: With Chief Minister and the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) meeting once again to discuss the Village Administration Bill (VAB) on Thursday, TUR has said that there is a need to bring in fundamental amendments to the Bill if it has to stand legal scrutiny and fulfill democratic aspirations including gender justice.
Earlier too, there was demand from several quarters to amend the Bill.
TUR in a statement said that VAB is not about the Rangbah Shnong and issuing of NOCs.
“This was an erroneous and mischievous attempt by vested powers to sideline public interest and reduce the law as something to re establish the unchecked appropriation of powers by the Rangbah Shnong over the years”, the statement said.
According to TUR, Rangbah Shnong is merely a functionary of the Dorbar Shnong and any sincere attempts to usher in local democracy should focus on the people and not the Rangbah Shnong.
TUR said that VAB should ensure that women are active members of the Dorbar with full rights.
“The language of the Bill in some portions is highly gender biased and TUR vehemently demands changes to this and other clauses to ensure gender equality”, the statement said.
TUR also said that what is required is to devolve financial powers to the Dorbar Shnong itself along with mechanisms for ensuring transparency and accountability.
“All rural development money should be routed through the Dorbar Shnong or the village and not the Rangbah Shnong and his executive committee”, TUR said.