Shillong, June 21: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, (comprising Ka Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, Federation of Khasi States, Ki Sirdarship, Ki Dolloi, Council of Nokmas) convened a second consultations on 20 June in the Khasi National Dorbar Hall, with various NGOs and Elders regarding the proposed Amendment to the Sixth Schedule, and the proposed Village Administration Bills 2013.
The Chiefs informed the gathering that the Chiefs Council held on 4th June 2013 while welcoming the proposed draft Village Administration Bills unanimously opposed insertion of the Village Development Council within the Village Administration Bill which in its present form was not adaptable.
The gathering was also informed of the reservations and the apprehensions of the Chiefs as the present Sixth Schedule of the Constitution which is a Schedule for ten Autonomous District Councils in the North East and stated that at least the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Autonomous District Council should infact have separate Schedule or Chapters or Parts instead of including them all under one schedule which is causing a lot of confusion.
A glaring example was that while in the three ADCs of Meghalaya Land belongs to the people, in the rest seven ADCs the land was Government Revenue Land. Added to the problem was the fact that most senior officials of the Government of India including senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs were totally ignorant of the history of the twenty five Khasi States (Federation of Khasi State) and more importantly that the Khasi States signed only the Instrument of Accession during 1948 and that there was no merger agreement with the due to the unique history and traditions of the Twenty Five Khasi States.
The Chiefs also informed the NGOs that based on the meetings in June 2012 which the Grand Council had Central Ministers and with the Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, the MHA has now sought for views from the State Government on the demands of the Grand council of Chiefs for a partyless council in accordance with the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17 August 1948 and stated that they were expecting a favorable response from the State Government and the District Council
The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision urging the Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs to convene a special public meeting at the earliest to enable the people to know and to discuss the proposed amendments of the Sixth Schedule so as to ensure that the proposed amendments do not undermine the rights of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes of Meghalaya. The Chairman, agreed to take up this request with the Chiefs so that there is unanimity among all on this very important issue.
Among those who were present were the Central body leaders from the KSU, FKJGP, SSSS, Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (KLKSK), CSWO, TUR, Lyngdoh Hima Lyngiong, Sirdar Hima Jyrngam, Secy Hima Marbisu, Secy Hima Riangsih, Rangbah Shnong and many others.(SP News)
