SHILLONG: Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, and Chairman, the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, John F Kharshiing gave a detailed account of the problems of the party less tribal political governing systems in Meghalaya which have become victims of party based political systems of the Sixth Schedule during a presentation at the Centre for Social Justice and Governance, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai on Sunday.
Kharshiing was invited by Tata Institute of Social Sciences to lecture students, research scholars, on the subject ‘the Status of Tribal Political System within Sixth Scheduled Areas’.
A large number of students attended the lecture.
The non fulfillment and implementation of the treaty terms under the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of August 17, 1948, accepted by the then Dominion of India was yet to be honoured, he told the gathering.
“It is a national wonder that more than 64 years of constitutional anomaly has not been addressed by the Central Authorities. On the ground there were conflicts with various laws legislated by Parliament, such as the Indian Registration Act 1908, the Land Acquisition Act and the Coal Mines (Nationalisation Act) 1973 & 1976,” Kharshiing said.
He said there is a need to address the political agreements which are vital for the peace and contentment of the North East.
Lack of understanding by the officials in New Delhi has been instrumental in the delay in giving effect to the treaties.
He elaborated that the rulers of the Khasi States, refused and did not sign the merger agreements and hence did not accept the huge sums of annual payment in the name of ‘Privy Purse’ or Pensions which were given to the rest of the over five hundred Maharaja’s of India, most of whom accepted the Instrument of merger, which dissolved their status and kingdoms.
On the other hand the Khasi States were also victims of the political maneuvering by Assam which had put in all its efforts to oppose the fulfillment and implementation of the IOA, and instead promoted the creation of the Sixth Schedule to suit its agenda, he said.
In total violation of the treaty agreements, the Assam government coerced the Central authorities to overlook the terms of the IOA so as to retain the territories of the Khasi States within Assam State, according to Kharshiing.
