Editor,
The implementation of the Roster System with regards to the post advertised before the Office Memorandum on the Roster came out, has deeply affected aspirants for government jobs from one part of the State. The Roster for some posts came out after the exam was conducted. Similarly, for the exam that will be held on April 15, 2023 the number of posts for each community has not yet been specified. Same is the case with the tentative programs of screening tests that will be held in the later part of April and in the month of May.
Therefore, I request the Government to temporarily halt the recruitment exams until the matter has been resolved and also to specify the number of posts for each category before conducting the exam.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Vote of thanks to the PWD
Editor,
Despite the fact that hands of the PWD are tied in terms of maneuvering the road beautification project thanks to non- availability of space, the PWD Shillong Central Division had performed a commendable job as far as the Shillong beautification is concerned. And JIVA has thanked the efforts of the PWD with a lighting “I love Shillong.” The Police Bazar road with the Rotary stretch is a thing of beauty. So too the Barik IGP point! With the traffic intensity on the rise the well-performed job would make the stretch last longer. Safety factor has also improved simultaneously. There’s only one suggestion and that is to install speed radars, as the better the road the more is the temptation to speed. With so many government offices around these areas the speed radar is a must however, the Transport Department must also ensure that the number place registration in the front and rear are eminently readable.
The Polo to Golf Links road too has got a new look. But since the Golf Links is also a tourist spot with lots of children moving around here too a speed radar is a must. The Sanker stretch of road leading towards M/S Stanley Roy Construction and to NEHU is praiseworthy. Lest we forget the VIP road is a joint project between the Central and State PWD. This stretch has reduced the traffic congestion in and around Shillong (from Umiam to the city) by leaps and bounds. Blessed with GPS mapping, experienced drivers have a great role to play in reducing this incurable traffic snarl in the city.
Last but not least, the traffic signs with white paint on Shillong city roads are appreciated. If only the drivers could cultivate some civic sense – and not to downplay the efforts made by the traffic police day in and day out – driving on new Shillong City roads would become more enjoyable than before.
Yours etc.,
W. Passah,
Nongkrem.
Need to re-examine the KHADC Clan Bill
Editor,
The culture & customary laws of Khasi-Pnar and Achik are a practice of almost six to seven centuries which is very smooth and the best traditional custom in the whole Universe. We rarely see a beggar belonging to a known family/clan loitering in the street with a begging bowl. If there is any such member, it is the duty of the youngest daughter or close aunt who is the custodian of a family/clan to clothe him/her and feed or take care as ‘Ka Kur Ka Jaid. The custodian of the belongings of the family/clan includes property, wealth, etc particularly the children, nephews, nieces, sisters and brothers. If the youngest daughter is a minor or does not bother, it is the duty of the next closest aunt to look after them. Such customary laws occur strictly only amongst the Khasi-Pnar. Modernization or to compromise with the other cultures of the present day lifestyle is a driving force to do away with the Khasi culture and customs.
Codification and documentations with alterations/modifications of the basic structure of Khasi-Pnar culture and customs and also Achik customary laws is a very sensitive and a delicate subject matter which tantamount to tampering the best pillar of the Traditional laws of the tribal people of the State. Such proposed Clan Bill of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council requires detailed re-examination by the Advocate General of Meghalaya in consultation with the State Law & Social Justice Department and the Constitutional Experts of the Apex Court in the country specialized in Traditional Customary Laws & Culture. Distribution of wealth, property, etc. (Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill, 2021) is an affair of individual families and such ‘well-to-do’ families amongst the tribals of the State are hardly 0.5 % to 1 % of the population. The distribution of wealth, property, etc., of the Khasi-Jaintia differ from one sub-tribe to another like the War-Shella, War Jaintia etc., therefore no law is required to disturb the smooth practice of the Inheritance of property of the beautiful and marvellous customary laws of the tribals of the State. K. Cantlie MA , ICS in his book ‘ Notes on Khasi Law’ in the year 1934 wrote that the laws framed in the late 1700(s) and early 1800(s) by the Syiems of Hima (chieftainships), Syiems of Jaintia, u Jogidhon Wahadadar of Shella are to safeguard and protect the well-established Khasi-Jaintia culture and traditional customs which prevent multiplication of court cases (leit iing lieh iing saw).
K. Cantlie stated that the customary practice of giving respect to paternal and maternal uncles (u Ni u Kong), Aunts (kmie nah kmie san, ki kha ki man) is exemplary. They are the best judges of the affairs of any family/clan dispute particularly inheritance of property which is a family affair. If any problems arise, it is referred to the Headman of the village Dorbar. Rabon Sing, the father of Khasi Literature in his book ‘Ka Kitab Niam-Khein Ki Khasi’ in chapter XXVII section 2 published in 1896 wrote, ‘the Headmen can settle the dispute as the Syiem of the Village Dorbar and impose a fine of Rs 53 (fifty three rupees). As per rate of the present day, the fine will not be less than Rs 5,300. In Chapter XXVIII, Rabon Sing wrote that as per Khasi customs, the person who will inherit the wealth, house and land holdings including all paddy fields, the cattle, gold and silver and anything that belong to the parents and the great grandparents will be the youngest daughter. She is the Custodian of the property and all the assets (ka nongri iing ri sem, ka nongkynthup ia u kur u para ha ka iap ka im bad ha ka jinglut jingsep ia u synniang,u bynhei ha kano kano ka kam). He further stated that in the customs of the sub-tribe ‘War’, all children inherit equal share of the earnings of the parents on condition that they jointly shoulder the responsibility of requirements of the family/clan. Tampering with the customary laws on the plea of modernity is a suicide for the new generation of tribal people of Meghalaya. Lineage and inheritance through women and in particular the youngest daughter amongst the Khasi-Jaintia is the best concept of matrilineal society in the whole world where honour and respect are bestowed on them.
Yours etc.,
W.L. Lyngdoh,
Shillong -6