SHILLONG, June 17: Three years after it was first introduced to overhaul the traditional matrilineal system of wealth, the controversial Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill remains in legislative limbo as the KHADC on Wednesday moved to revive a stagnant review committee.
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), during the opening day of its Summer Session, reconstituted the Select Committee examining the 2021 Bill. Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh will now chair the panel, taking over from former CEM Shemborlang Rynjah, whose resignation had effectively stalled the process.
Tabling the report, the CEM informed the House that the committee had been “rendered inoperative” following Rynjah’s departure, necessitating a formal restart to the review. The 2021 Bill is a significant piece of legislation that proposes the equitable distribution of ancestral property among all children—a major shift from the Khasi custom where the Khadduh (youngest daughter) is the primary custodian of family wealth. Despite its potential to reshape the Khasi social fabric, the Bill has seen little progress and has been gathering dust since its introduction.
The reconstituted committee includes Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne, Executive Member in-charge Law Deity M Majaw, Nongskhen MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri, and Executive Member Denzil R Chen. The panel is tasked with reviewing the Bill’s provisions and submitting recommendations to the Council.
