KHADC asks committee headed by Lanong to study VAB

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 25, 2019

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has asked the Committee on Law and Traditional Affairs headed by nominated member Bindo M Lanong to study the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill after it was returned by the Governor last year. 

Replying to a question raised by Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC Bajop Pyngrope here on Thursday, deputy chief executive member Pyniaid Sing Syiem said the VAB is under consideration by the executive committee. 

“We have asked the Committee on Law and Traditional Affairs to study the VAB,” Syiem told the House. 

The decision was taken after the then Governor Ganga Prasad had last year returned the VAB with a message that “future proposals be confined to the provisions of the Sixth Schedule”. 

The governor had also pointed out that 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 dated January 2016. 

The governor also said in view of the legal and constitutional validity of the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill 2014, the power of the District Council under paragraph 3 (1) (e), (f), (g) and (j) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India is limited. 

The VAB was passed by the KHADC on July 1, 2014. The Bill was subsequently corrected through corrigenda accepted and approved by the KHADC on May 30, 2015. 

However when it was submitted for assent, the Governor had forwarded the Bill to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for examination. The MHA had raised 12-point queries in its letter to the state government after certain conflicting provisions in the Bill was found. 

Meanwhile, the deputy CEM informed that the committee headed by Lanong was constituted recently to look into the various pending Bills passed by the Council. 

“We have also asked the committee to also take priority to complete examining the Land Bill as well,” he added.