Traditional institutes seek govt recognition, I-cards for headmen
Former judge of the Meghalaya High Court, Justice (retired) SR Sen had passed an order on December 10, 2014 stripping the Rangbah Shnongs of their arbitrary powers
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 18: In a significant development, the Income Tax department has instructed the traditional institute of the Dorbar Shnong to register for Pan Card, despite tribals being exempted from paying income tax.
The move by the I-T department has forced the Dorbar Shnongs to ask the state government to empower and recognise them in line with what has been done in Nagaland and Mizoram.
Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) secretary, RL Blah told The Shillong Times on Friday that the Dorbar Shnongs are facing problems from the I-T department due to which they want the state government to come out with a gazette notification that the traditional institutions are recognised bodies of the state government.
“The I-T department is asking the Dorbar Shnongs to have Pan Card registration. We understand that as tribals we don’t have to pay tax. But we also understand that once we are enlisted with the department for Pan Card registration, we would be liable to file our tax returns,” Blah said.
He said when they met the Commissioner of Income Tax to discuss the new directive, they were told that the only way the problem could be resolved is for the state government to mention a single line through a gazette notification that it recognises the traditional institutions (Dorbar Shnong).
Blah mentioned that the Rangbah Shnongs are recognised by the autonomous district councils which issue them their appointment letters (Sanad) as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule.
“However, most of our dealings are with the state government and the district administration. Since the activities of the Rangbah Shnong are voluntary, it is not right for the government to use the Rangbah Shnongs only when needed,” he said.
Pointing out that the Dorbar Shnong is not a self-styled institution, he said, “We are seeking recognition from the government in the sense that the Dorbar Shnong is a community-based organisation. We want identity cards issued by the government to all the Rangbah Shnongs and it would be surrendered once their term ends,” the SNSBH secretary said.
Riatsamthiah Rangbah Shnong, M Kharkrang said there has been no notification from the state government recognising the Dorbar Shnong, the Rangbah Shnong and members of the executive committee of the Dorbar.
Citing an example, he said the Social Welfare department has come up with rules for strengthening of the village defence parties (VDPs) in the localities to fight against the menace of drugs and also wants the Rangbah Shnong to play an active role in the formation of the VDPs.
“How can the Rangbah Shnong take the lead since there is no mention of the Rangbah Shnong or Dorbar Shnong in the Rules framed by the department which adopted it from Assam in toto,” he said.
Kharkrang recalled that former judge of the Meghalaya High Court, Justice (retired) SR Sen had passed an order (on December 10, 2014) stripping the Rangbah Shnongs of their arbitrary powers.
According to him, the High Court only passed an order to provide interim relief to the Rangbah Shnongs after the district councils approached the court.
“Therefore it is important for the state government to issue a notification to recognise the traditional institutions,” Kharkrang added.
Umpling Rangbah Shnong, SF Pyngrope said the Dorbar Shnong and the Rangbah Shnong are praised by the state government only when they need their services but there is no official recognition.
He reminded that the government will need the support of the Rangbah Shnong and the Dorbar Shnong in implementing the MRSSA, 2016 to deal with the problem of influx.
“How we can help to implement the Act when we are not recognised by the government,” Pyngrope questioned.
He also mentioned that the state government often invites the Rangbah Shnongs to attend meetings in the Secretariat but they face undue harassment from the security personnel due to lack of identity cards.