KHADC meets Governor, expresses thankfulness for assenting 6 imp Bills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 30, 2024

A delegation of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday met the Governor CH Vijayashankar and expressed appreciation for his decision to assent six important Bills, passed by the Council.

“We have expressed our thankfulness to the Governor for granting his assent to these very important Bills passed by the House,” KHADC chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem told reporters after the meeting at Raj Bhavan.

The six Bills include: the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Administration of Elaka) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the KHAD (Nomination and Election of the Lyngdoh, Myntri, Lyngdoh Raid and Sordar Shnong and Administration of Sohiong Lyngdohship, 2023, the KHAD (Regulation and Administration of Land) Rules, 2023, the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District Fishery (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the KHAD (Trading by Non-Tribals) (Amendment) Rules, 2023.

Syiem said the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Administration of Elaka) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which has now become an Act, will to a great extent help in the smooth functioning and administration of the villages under the Himas/Elakas. The Act seeks to recognize the women and youth organizations within the village dorbar.

“We have 54 himas and there are over 3000 villages within these Elakas. We understand there is a need to strengthen the administration of village dorbars. Therefore, we feel the need to recognize the role of the women and youth organizations within the dorbar shnong. The Act will recognize them in the village. This will help dorbar shnong in its functioning to ensure safety and security and to address the issue of drug menace that is affecting the youth of the state,” he stated.

Moreover, the CEM said that the Act will further help check the people, who are coming to reside in the village or locality within the council’s jurisdiction by making it compulsory to register with village authorities.

“Tenants will have to register with the dorbar shnong. The need to register will ensure that the village has information about the people who are coming to stay in their area and their credentials. This again will to a larger extent help address the drug menace issue better,” he added.

On the Land Rules, Syiem said that this will really empower the tribal people by strengthening their land rights.

“People can now register their land with the council without having to go to the sub-registrar in the DC office. You have to pay very nominal fees for registration with the KHADC  unlike the amount you pay to the sub registrar in the DC office where it may costs you lakhs of rupees to register a small plot of land in Shillong. This will not be the case with the KHADC,” he said.

“Also, all financial institutions in Meghalaya have to recognize the land documents issued by the KHADC,” he added.