Tura MP prodded to push for Instrument of Accession tweak

SHILLONG, Oct 16: Adviser and Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, John F Kharshiing, on Sunday, submitted a memorandum to Tura MP Agatha Sangma in New Delhi seeking amendment to Article 338 and 338A of the Instrument of Accession of August 17, 1948.
Along with the memorandum were copies of numerous correspondence submitted to the Centre on the constitutional anomaly of the Khasi States Accession Agreements including an advisory from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on April 26, 2012, which is yet to be addressed by the government for incorporating the Agreement of the Federation of Khasi States in a special article within the Constitution.
During the meeting with Sangma, Kharshiing said in the excitement of achieving Independence, the constitutional issues relating to the 25 Khasi states were overlooked.
The Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement were signed and accepted between the then Governor General of India, C Rajagopalachari, and the Federation of Khasi States on August 27, 1948 (IOA & AA).
“These matters have been pursued by our Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadar, Dolloi, and the Nokma since 1947-1948. While the Panchayati Raj system finds place within the Constitution of India, ironically, these traditional institutions of self-government are neither mentioned nor do they find a place within the Constitution of India. We are also attaching a copy of a memo submitted to former Meghalaya Home Minister, on May 18, 2018, which is self-explanatory,” spokesperson of FKS said.
Kharshiing who is also the chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, has requested the Tura MP to study in depth the issues on behalf of the Federation of Khasi States and prod the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which is fully aware of the matters to conclude, and make effect the advisory of 26 April 2012, from the National Commission for Schedule Tribes.
A copy of the recent book co-authored by John F Kharshiing and Prof Bodhi S Ranee, Khasi States Timeline 1771 to 2017 was also presented to Agatha, who has assured to look into the two issues.