SHILLONG, July 6: The much-anticipated Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2022 was re-introduced on Wednesday on the first day of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council’s (KHADC) summer session by Chief Executive Member (CEM), Titosstarwell Chyne.
Presenting the report of the Executive Committee on the bill, Chyne said the bill was first introduced during the November 20, 2018 session and passed on November 22 the same year.
The bill was subsequently forwarded to the Governor for his assent but he returned it to the council on May 9, 2019 for reconsideration, Chyne said.
He said, in due course, the bill was posted on the council’s website for views and opinions and groups such as Seng Khasi Kmie, Seng Kur Kharshiing, Seng Kur Suting, Synkhong Rympei Thymmai, Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (Sohiong Circle), Seng Kur Thabah and Michael Syiem submitted their views and suggestions.
He said some of these were incorporated in the proposed bill.
The proposals of Synkhong Rympei Thymmai and Michael N Syiem that persons adopt their father’s surname was, however, not accepted by the Advisory Committee as the bill itself is based on the matrilineal system of lineage practiced by the Khasis.
Chyne said the Advisory Committee on law and traditional affairs was constituted to re-examine the bill and advise the Executive Committee.
He further said after going through the report of the Advisory Committee, the Executive Committee decided that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018 should be recalled and replaced by a fresh bill with some correction/modifications as advised.
“Therefore, to enable the Executive Committee to introduce the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2022, the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018 may be recalled),” Chyne added.
The bill will be debated, clause by clause, on the last day of the summer session on Friday.
Chyne told reporters the council is not against people using their father’s surname.
“But as per the practice since time immemorial, we give our mother’s surname. Therefore, people who give their father’s surname will not come under purview of this bill,” the KHADC CEM said.
He said it is upto the clans to decide if they will consider people, who give the father’s surname, as their member. There are over 4,000 tribal clans in the Khasi Hills region.
According to Chyne, the purpose of coming up with this bill was to preserve the matrilineal system of lineage practiced by the Khasis.
The KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018 seeks to empower the Dorbar of Seng Kurs (clan organisations), registered with the KHADC, to issue Khasi Clan Certificate. It says no Khasi Tribe Certificate will be issued without such Clan (Kur) Certificate.
