KHADC to honour local bodies on Jan 18

SHILLONG, Jan 9: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) will hold the Dorbar Iktiar Paidbah at Polo Ground on January 18.
The event, which will commence at 10:30 am, will honour various community bodies, including Dorbar Shnongs, Dorbar Dongs, Dorbar Kurs, Seng Kynthei/Longkmie and Seng Samla.
Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar will attend as the chief guest, along with Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice, Justice IP Mukerji.
KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem informed that the event was initially scheduled for December 14 last year but was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.
The new date was finalised after consultations with stakeholders, including the Federation of Khasi States, Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur ka Bri Hynniewtrep, Synjuk Ki Dorbar Kur ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, Synjuk Lympung Ki Seng Longkmie/Kynthei, Synjuk Seng Samla Shnong and Synjuk Nongsynshar Shnong.
Syiem said the Dorbar is being organised to celebrate the passage of the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) (Amendment) Act, 2023, which received the Governor’s assent.
This Act recognises the Seng Longkmie and Seng Samla within the Dorbar Shnong structure after 72 years of the Council’s existence. Additionally, the Act formally acknowledges the Rangbah Dong of various Dorbar Shnongs.
The event will also witness the release of Khasi translations of two landmark legislations—the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Act, 2023—aimed to strengthen clan administration and facilitate clan registration with the Council.
“We are planning to translate all the Acts and Rules passed by the Council,” Syiem said.
The KHADC has extended invitations to members of various villages and localities, including the Executive Committees of Dorbar Shnongs, Seng Kynthei/Longkmie and Seng Samla, to participate in the Dorbar Iktiar Paidbah.