SHILLONG: The spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States John Kharshiing has said the Village Administration Bill (VAB) 2014 does not have representation of other scheduled tribes and original inhabitants of the state and women, which is “unconstitutional and undemocratic”.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kharshiing, who was reacting to the concerns of the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) over his statement that the institution of Dorbar Shnong is unconstitutional, said a note from the Ministry of Home Affairs states the views of the Ministry of Law and Justice that objected to the provisions of the proposed bill.
The Synjuk in a meeting on Wednesday expressed concern over the statement of the general secretary of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee and said there were no such criticisms whether from the state or central government
over the matter.
General Secretary RL Blah had said nowhere in the MHA queries states that institution of the Dorbar Shnong is unconstitutional.
However, Kharshiing said he appreciated the Synjuk’s concerns but “we also draw the attention of the members of the SNSBH that the letter was circulated during the meeting of the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCRM).”
According to Kharshiing, What is more important is that the traditional institutions must come together and deliberate on this MHA letter including the future if they are to retain social laws, traditions and practices.
“The January 2016 response from the MHA regarding VAB confirms what we have been reiterating since last 20 years that the Sixth Schedule as per the Constitution is not meant only for Khasi, Jaintia or Garo tribes but as per the latest MHA letter, it is meant for all scheduled tribes…including women, need to be part of the village law-making process,” he added.
He reiterate d with all conviction and responsibility that there is no mention of the role, powers, functions and responsibility of the Dorbar Kur, Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid Dobar Hima – Elaka Dolloi, Sirdarship or A’king Nokma, within the 21 paragraphs of the Sixth Schedule or within the over 300 Article’s under the Constitution of India, and to achieve the objective of Constitutional recognition , it requires the combined efforts of the traditional institutions, the District Council and State Government to have an honest dialogue on this long pending issue as there are three ADCs within the State of Meghalaya.
