SHILLONG, April 24: The central government’s move to amend the Sixth Schedule through the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Amendment) Bill, 2019, have put the three autonomous district councils in Meghalaya in a state of discomfort over fears that the proposed introduction of the “village council” will lead to dilution of the authority of the traditional heads.
The proposed amendment seeks to provide for village councils in addition to the existing village development councils.
The ADCs are also against inclusion of “minor tribes” as other beneficiaries of the Sixth Schedule.
The ADCs are unprepared to make it inclusive and are adamant about opposing the Centre’s move in this regard. The other tribes in the state include Rabhas, Koches, Hajongs, et al.
Attempting to take a unified stand against the proposed changes in the Sixth Schedule, the KHADC, JHADC and GHADC on Monday said they will impress upon the Centre to table the revised Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019, within this year.
A resolution to this effect was adopted during a meeting of the three Chief Executive Members – Titosstarwell Chyne (KHADC), Thombor Shiwat (JHADC) and Albinush R Marak (GHADC).
The meeting, held at the conference room of the KHADC, was attended among others by GHADC Deputy CEM Nikman Ch Marak, KHADC Chairman Lamphrang Blah, KHADC EMs Grace Mary Kharpuri, Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong, Jambor War, Martle N Mukhim, Rangkynsai Kharbuki and Teibor Pathaw.
Later, Chyne told reporters the Centre had written to the state government that there is a need for the ADCs to deliberate in detail on the twin issues of unrepresented (minor) tribes and implementation of village councils.
According to him, they have unanimously decided to urge the Centre to remove the term “unrepresented tribes” from the amendment bill.
Chyne said they briefed the CEMs of GHADC and JHADC that the KHADC had passed the Village Development Council Bill to ensure that village councils are not implemented in the state as the same may dilute the traditional institutions.
“We suggested that the JHADC and the GHADC should pass a similar bill. We will not like to see a situation where the traditional institutions will cease to exist as a result of the implementation of village councils,” he said.
The KHADC CEM said they are in agreement with the state government that the Centre should reduce the proposed number of seats from 40 to 37 – 35 elected and 2 nominated members, including a woman.
“I hope the Centre will table the proposed amendment bill at the earliest once we have resolved these two pending issues,” Chyne added.
Meanwhile, the ADCs also resolved to urge the Centre to exempt the scheduled areas from the purview of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as and when it is implemented.
Chyne said the ADCs also resolved to pass a resolution in their respective councils to oppose the implementation of UCC in the scheduled areas. He said they will jointly approach the state government to ask it to take a similar stand after they pass the resolutions.
He felt the implementation of UCC will have a direct impact on the powers and functions of the ADCs, especially with the traditional customs, practices and the community as a whole, and affect the marriage system – customary marriages or marriages solemnized by various religions.
The UCC, which has been a mainstay of the BJP’s election manifesto since 1998, aims to replace laws based on religious texts or traditions. It focuses on gender parity, right to equality etc. It will be applicable to all citizens for marriage, divorce, succession, adoption, guardianship and partition of land and assets among all citizens.
