Newmai News Network
Shillong | February 25
Seeking the quick passage of the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018 passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), last year, the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SRKBH) - a conglomerate of tribal clan elders have sought the intervention of the Governor, Tathagata Roy.
"It is therefore requested that you take appropriate action and (ensure) the Bill is assented at the earliest for the interest of the 5204 indigenous clans (Kur)," SRKBH memorandum to the Governor said. HS Shylla who is also the incumbent Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC, said that the purpose of the Bill is to help the tribal clans organize in a proper manner with due recognition from the authority concerned. He also said that the Council was prompted to legislate this Bill so as to prevent the misuse of clan titles by other non indigenous people who want to benefit from the privileges entitled to tribal population under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
To justify this statement, Shylla said that there are people who have changed their title through affidavits mainly for the purpose of evading tax and exploiting economic opportunities. "Therefore there is an immediate need to regulate the function and administration of clans under the Act of the district council," he said while adding that the Bill is also necessitated to authorize the clans to issue clan certificates in order to avail the Khasi tribe certificate. Urging the Governor to consider giving his assent to the Bill, Shylla said that paragraph 3 (3) of the Sixth Schedule clearly spells out that all laws made under this paragraph shall be submitted forthwith to the Governor and until assented to by him, shall have no effect.
According to him, this has been complied with under the provisions of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 as amended. Shylla meanwhile said that the Governor has assured the delegation that he would look into the matter seriously. "He (Roy) also assured that he would immediately write to the state government on the matter," Shylla said.
