The party would underscore the need to enact more rules and legislations to protect, promote, preserve, and strengthen the tradition, customs, culture, land holding system, and rights of the indigenous Khasi community
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 11: Congress has pegged its campaign for the upcoming elections to the KHADC and JHADC on highlighting a slew of issues to strengthen the district councils.
MPCC working president, Pynshngain N Syiem told reporters on Saturday that the party would underscore the need to enact more rules and legislations to protect, promote, preserve, and strengthen the tradition, customs, culture, land holding system, and rights of the indigenous Khasi community.
He said Congress was a party to two landmark legislations passed by the KHADC— the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Act, 2023.
According to him, the provisions under the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) (Amendment) Act have clearly defined the powers and functions of the Seng Samla, Seng Longkmie/Kynthei, Executive Dorbars, and Dorbar Shnongs.
He said there was no legislation for several years since the existence of the council to define the powers and functions of these traditional bodies.
Syiem said the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Act aimed to strengthen clan administration and facilitate clan registration with the council.
“Now, various clans have the power and function and they can now frame their constitutions which will be duly approved by the Registrar of the Council. The constitutions of the clans will become a law when it is notified in the gazette,” he said.
Syiem, a former Deputy CEM of the council, also claimed that Congress has been able to do many things by being part of the NPP-led Executive Committee in the KHADC.
He said that if given an opportunity to lead the councils, Congress will take steps to strengthen the Forest Regulation in the district council to make sure that all rivers and catchments are not destroyed.
“Many catchment areas are under threat due to deforestation. We need to take steps to replenish the catchment areas facing a threat,” he added.
At the same, he said Congress would come up with legislation for the councils to promote traditional and cultural tourism.
The MPCC working president also said Congress would take measures to strengthen the financial position of the councils since this is very critical.
He said they have seen how the JHADC and GHADC have not been able to pay the salaries of their staff for two to three years due to their poor financial position. Syiem said there are many ways in which the council can improve its revenue generation through the collection of professional tax and from the fees for issuing trading licenses as mandated by the Trading By Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954.
He said the council can increase its revenue through taxes from minor and major forest produce.
“The stability of the financial position of the council is very critical,” he said, insisting it is equally important to look at the interest of the youth.
According to him, all institutions, firms, and companies applying for NOCs and licenses from the district councils should have a clear-cut policy on jobs for the local unemployed.
He said it would be of great help if a single firm or company is able to create 20 to 30 job opportunities for the local youth.
“It is high time all companies and firms approaching the council for various permissions have a policy on employing the local youth,” he said.