Lineage bill: District council dept taking things lightly

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 criticised the state government for taking the issues affecting the Khasi-Jaintia community lightly.
Members of five organisations namely 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 understands when we highlighted to him 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 added, “He assured to give his assent to the Bill, but it was surprising to know that the Bill has not reached the Governor yet. The state government, i.e. the District Council Affairs department is not serious.”
Tongper said that the District council Affairs department should forward the Lineage Bill to the Governor with necessary recommendations.
The organisations 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 bill will be of great benefit to safeguard the Khasi-Jaintia community.