SHILLONG: There has been no change in the KHADC lineage amendment bill restricting Khasi women from marrying non-tribal men despite many citizens opposing it.
KHADC’s Consultative Committee submitted its recommendations on the lineage bill to the council on Tuesday. The bill will be tabled soon during a special session.
Speaking to reporters, KHADC chief executive member HS Shylla said the executive committee would examine the report before tabling the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage (Amendment) Bill in the House and would likely propose a special session by October 15.
Shylla informed that the appointment and powers of a clan elder (Rangbah Kur), which was wrongly inserted in the first amendment bill, was removed as the council would have a separate bill on Khasi clans.
However, he said the intention of the second amendment bill would be the same “which is to restrict Khasi women from marrying non-tribal men”.
The committee has submitted seven-point recommendations to the KHADC.
On the other hand, Shylla urged Khasi people who take their fathers’ surnames to make necessary corrections and follow matriliny.
He quoted Section 10 of the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act, 1997, saying, “Such people who are taking their fathers’ surnames will also lose their Khasi status and Schedule Tribe status.”
Stating that the deadline for corrections ended in 2010, Shylla said the executive committee decided to further extend the period.
