SHILLONG: Governor Ganga Prasad has said the Village Administration Bill is beyond the purview of the Sixth Schedule and needs to be reviewed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The bill, which was passed by the district council on July 1, 2014, was sent to the then governor V Shanmuganathan for approval. After much delay, the governor has finally sent the Bill back with a note on its constitutional limitations.
KHADC chief executive member PN Syiem read out the governor’s message during the House session on Tuesday.
“The said Bill is hereby returned, as after careful consideration it has been found that the pitch and substance of the Bill in its present form is beyond the jurisdiction of the District Council which is apparent as per the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (North East Division) letter No. 11012/144/2015NE.IV dated January, 2016,” the governor wrote in his message to the KHADC.
He added that in view of the legal and constitutional validity of the Bill, the power of the district council under Paragraph 3 (1) (e), (f), (g) and (j) of the Sixth Schedule is limited.
“Therefore, the district council may also like to consider this position while drafting a legislation on village administration and it is also advised that future proposals be confined to the provisions of the Sixth Schedule,” Prasad wrote.
Syiem said the Bill will be examined thoroughly.
Leader of the Opposition Mansturdy Nongrem said the members will get time to polish it.
Nongrem proposed a new Bill that is aimed to empower traditional heads.
Meanwhile, HSPDP MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew pointed out the governor’s letter to the KHADC did not mention any date.
