By Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh

In a matter of days the Hynniewtrep people (although the rule pertaining to the voting right of non-indigenous permanent residents has not been abolished) will elect the members to the two Autonomous District Councils in the State. The underlying principle of the Sixth Schedule is to provide self governance to the indigenous community so as to empower them to protect their culture and identity. It is ironic that in the Eastern part of Meghalaya, two District Councils, namely, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), were created for one Hynniewtrep Community. These two Autonomous District Councils exist for self-rule and to cause legislations to protect, preserve and enhance the growth of Hynniewtrep Community.
The Power of One Vote:
The core principle of democracy rests on the power of people. Each vote represents an expression of the will of the electorate. Via elections this will is translated into governance and the Autonomous District Councils elections 2025 in East Meghalaya are no exception and each and every vote is important. The votes cast by citizens in elections represent the cornerstone of legitimacy and hold immense power. However, the extent to which this power is respected and utilized is a critical question, as elected representatives, in too many instances, fail to uphold the sanctity of the mandate entrusted to them.
History is teaching us that post-elections, the promises of candidates often ring hollow. The vows to establish corruption-free administration, enact laws that prioritize the well-being of the populace, ensure justice and fairness in governance, and foster equality and opportunity for all, are frequently abandoned. This betrayal of public trust underscores the enduring importance of each individual vote.
In the context of the ensuing elections to the Autonomous District Councils one must take an informed decision before electing the members of the Councils. Also, one must be guided by principles and ideology which he/she believes in. Unfortunately, neither the candidates nor the political parties contesting the District Councils elections 2025 offer clear information on issues or ideologies to help us make an informed choice. The election campaigns are filled with empty rhetoric and noise. The singular focus seems to be on protection or rather over protection of the “Jaidbynriew” or community, but without explaining against whom, from what, and how this protection will be achieved. There is also excessive use of the victimhood card, which relegates real issues to the background. In fact, the real issues that matter to the “Jaidbynriew”/electorates the most haven’t even surfaced during the current campaigns. The rhetoric is too loud and distracting, making it a waste of time. In this article, I will outline a few critical issues that should have been raised, debated, and deliberated during these elections. Sadly, almost every candidate and political party has remained silent on these matters. However, as a voter, these issues will guide me in choosing my representative to the District Council.
The Village
Administration Bill:
It has been rightly opined by Govind Bhattacharjee that “Meghalaya has a unique administrative structure among all Indian States. The entire State, save a tiny area within the capital of Shillong, is covered by the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution under Article 244 of the Constitution”. Under the Sixth Schedule the Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya are empowered to legislate laws for Village planning/Village administration. As a matter of fact, the need of the hour for the people of Hynniewtrep in particular and State in general is the establishment, through legislation, of a robust and democratically elected grass roots governance in every village across the regions.
The Village Administration Bill 2014 (VAB) which had been tabled and passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is yet to see the light of the day. This bill is significant as it deals with the grass roots governance and should this Bill become an Act it will usher a new beginning for grass roots administration in the entire State. Crucial matters like Village development, primary health care, education, waste management and even traffic management etc can be easily dealt with in a democratic, accountable and transparent manner at the village level in all rural, semi-urban and urban areas.
Nonetheless, the introduction of the bill in 2014 and 2015 has provoked debate as well as controversy in the state with regards to questions of democratization, participation and role of women, participation and role of ‘non-indigenous residents’, implementation of development schemes, among others. The VAB has been stuck in deadlock with several interested parties and pressure groups giving their opinions, for and against the bill with several modifications being suggested. The VAB should have been the frontline issue in this election to the Autonomous District Councils and a new impetus be given to move the bill forward taking into consideration the various discussions and debates surrounding it.
Landlessness and
Homelessness:
The existential crisis present in the “Jaidbynriew” today, is the increasing rise of landlessness and existence of homelessness among the Hynniewtrep community. For an indigenous community land is the Temple and land is intrinsic to the life of the community. But the profit and market driven economy which also revolves around a self-centred attitude to plunder, loot and exploit for one’s own interest, the indigenous communities across the Universe are facing the major threat of land alienation in this era of economic liberalization. In India indigenous communities from North East to Central India who are inhabiting the minerals rich regions are facing similar threats and their survival is at stake.
Meghalaya with its unique land holding system which the indigenous people have inherited since time immemorial is also under threat in this neo-liberal era. The rising numbers of landless tribals should be a matter of great concern. How an indigenous Khasi family can become landless? As the cost of living, in terms of spending in education and health care, is exponentially high, large numbers of Khasi families are selling away their paddy fields, lands etc to a few rich tribals in order to meet the basic needs in life. Moreover failed agriculture and underdevelopment in Villages/Blocks/Districts had pushed many rural folks to migrate to Urban centres, especially to Shillong. Land in Meghalaya has become a speculative commodity and there are reports that certain categories of community lands or commons or “Ri raij” have been unscrupulously transformed into “Ri Kynti” or private property. We (Hynniewtrep) need a serious rethinking on the idea of “ieid jaitbynriew” or love for Community. There is a correlation between poverty, migration, landlessness and cost of living and one has to address them holistically.
Although, Meghalaya has a relatively small numbers of recorded homeless people, but the existence of homelessness among the indigenous Hynniewtrep community should sound an alarm bells on the Members of traditional institutions like the District Councils, Dorbar Shnong and Dorbar Kur. Lately, Shillong has the highest numbers of homeless people in the State with 76 of them are housed in the Municipal shelter home. Out of the 76 homeless, 29 belong to the indigenous Hynniewtrep community. The essence of Hynniewtrep society is “ka tip kur tip kha” or to know one’s clan relations and the communitarian aspect of Khasi society is to ensure that no member of the clan should become a destitute, let alone becoming homeless. Alas! This is not an issue during the current elections to the Autonomous District Councils.
Administrative Reforms:
In order to strengthen the workings of the Sixth Schedule via the Autonomous District Councils, the Secretariat of the Autonomous District Councils in East Meghalaya need a total overhaul. Excepting a question on recruitment policy and advertisement of posts in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council which was raised during the public debate organized by the Dorbar Shnong Lawjynriew for the candidates of the Nongthymmai Constituency recently, no candidates nor political parties who are in the fray has ever talk about enhancing the capacity of personnels in the Secretariat of Autonomous District Councils and offer concrete suggestions for administrative reforms.
After Statehood and during the formation of the new Executive Committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in May 1972, the new members and Executive Committee as well vowed to bring about a clean governance in the District Council. It is recorded in the proceedings of the House that the members urged upon the new Executive Committee to eradicate and wipe out corruption and evils from the Administration.
Between 1972 and 1974, efforts were made by the Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to usher in administrative reforms with the aim of strengthening the KHADC’s Secretariat by introducing indigenous civil service officers to streamline the administration of the KHADC, thereby promoting transparency and fairness.
However, such attempts to implement the administrative reforms in the KHADC during the period were ultimately unsuccessful. The APHLC-led government in the State then did not support these efforts, which led to the abandonment of the crucial administrative reform initiatives.
Lastly, I abhor religious fanaticism of all hues, and I shall never vote for a candidate or party that abuses God/religion and spirituality for political gains.