From Our Correspondent
TURA, Dec 27: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) on Monday sought the entire state of Meghalaya in general and all Garo Hills districts in particular be exempted from Svamitva Yojana — a central sector scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj for validation of property and clear ownership of property — dreading that the scheme, instead of doing good, could harm the interests of indigenous people.
In its representation to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Benedic R Marak, the ADE suggested that more time be given for deliberations before implementing the scheme in Meghalaya.
“We believe that before taking any concrete step regarding this Scheme, we should ponder over all pros and cons of this scheme in a detailed manner. Being a Sixth Scheduled state, along with shared international border with neighbouring Bangladesh, any initiation of this kind needs to be thoroughly discussed with every social entity possible along with seeking expert opinion from professionals. Another serious basis for reflection on this scheme is the fact that our society follows matrilineal lineage. Property is transferred from mother to daughter in our custom. Customary Property laws of other states are totally different from ours,” ADE president, Dalseng Bira Ch Momin, said.
According to Momin, another matter of grave concern with regard to the scheme is that it could have a serious bearing on the issue of illegal settlers or migrants, forcibly inhabiting the various border areas around Garo Hills region.
“The increasing number of settlers every year has caused total demographic change in some parts. For example, in areas like Jongkipara A’king land, where previously there were around 200 families of such settlers, there are now more than 300 families. In Ramdenggagre A’king land, these settlers have even set up illegal stone crusher machines, which are discriminately damaging our hills and rivers. There are more than 200 doubtful migrant families currently staying in Wa’dagokgre village. These are few instances from scores of such happenings all around Garo Hills region. We, along with other NGOs, have time and again informed about this situation to the concerned authorities but till now nothing has been done to resolve the issue,” Momin added.
The ADE president argued that instead of implementing schemes which could have a negative impact on the local populace, the Centre should bolster self-governing authorities like autonomous councils, Nokmas, law-enforcing authorities, NGOs etc. to safeguard land from encroachers.
Pointing out that the Svamitva Scheme would be beneficial in those parts of the country where deprived, oppressed or landless sections of the population reside, Momin said that the matter of the scheme’s implementation in the state should be shelved as its customary property laws are sufficient to safeguard people’s lands.
Momin also urged the GHADC to pursue the matter with the Government of India and seek state’s exemption from the purview of the scheme and to provide a recognition clause to officially recognise the land documents issued by the Clans of A’kinglands through the Nokmas and the Lease Pattas issued by the GHADC by following due procedures like survey, mapping, documentation etc., for the purpose of revenue or tax or any other legal purposes.