SHILLONG: With the District Council Affairs (DCA) department buying time over the KHAD (The Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (First Amendment), Bill, 2018, STIEH has criticized the state government for taking the issues affecting the Khasi-Jaintia community lightly.
Members of five organizations Seng Tipkur Tipkha Ieng Ehrngiew Khun Hynniewtrep (STIEH), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), girls wing of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and FKJGP met the Governor Tathagata Roy on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor, president of STIEH, Deiwi Tongper said the Governor was willing to give his assent to the Bill, however, the Bill is yet to be forwarded to him.
“Why is the state government delaying in sending the Lineage Bill to the Governor? We met the Governor and he understood when we highlighted about the Bill and our identity as Khasis,” she said
Stating that the Governor has assured that he will give assent to the Bill, she said, “He assured give his assent to the Bill, but it was surprising to know that the Bill had not reached the Governor yet. The state government, i.e. the District Council Affairs department is not serious.”
Tongper said that the DCA should forward the Lineage Bill to the Governor with necessary recommendations.
The organizations appealed the Governor to give his assent to the KHAD (The Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (First Amendment), Bill, 2018 and KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration), Bill, 2018 as they maintained that the Bills will be of great benefit to safeguard the Khasi-Jaintia community.
