SHILLONG: The Federation of Khasi States, after detailed discussions on the upcoming amendment of the Sixth Schedule in a meeting held at Lumjingsuk, Demthring on Thursday, resolved to meet Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to discuss the rejection of the three bills related to providing constitutional space to the traditional institutions of Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Dolloi and Nokma.
The Khasi Hills Autinomous District (Constitution of the Federation of the Khasi Traditional Chiefs) Bill was passed by the KHADC on October 26, 2006. The bill was rejected on grounds that “the KHADC does not have the legislative competence under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to enact such a bill”.
The KHADC also passed two more bills, namely, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of Council of Traditional Dorbar) Bill on March 3, 2016 and the recent, Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of Subordinate Council of Traditional Chiefs and Headmen) Rules, 2018 on October 23, 2018.
“The Federation of Khasi States will seek clarification with the appropriate authority- State or Parliament – to take initiative towards fulfilling this constitutional space for the traditional institutions such as the Khasi States and the Council of Nokmas”, the FKS said.
The federation further said that the state government should have invited the KHADC and the FKS to explain that it was the state or the parliament that had the power to pass such bills and not the district councils. The FKS authorised Kharshiing to seek appointment with the chief minister. A delegation of Dolloi from Jaintia Hills and the Council of Nokmas from Garo Hills has been formed to meet the chief minister.
