Shillong, March 19: A five member delegation led by Bah John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, had an interaction with Shri. Rahul Gandhi, MP, Vice President, AICC, on 19th March 2014, at 11.15 Am, in Hotel Pinewood, Shillong, in presence of Shri. Luizinho Falerio, former Chief Minister, Shri. Vincent H Pala, MP, Dr DD Lapang, MLA, President MPCC, and other officials. this morning and submitted a note and copy of the ‘White Paper on Indian States -1950’, placed before parliament in 1949 and 1950, relating to the treaties of the twenty five Khasi States.
During the interaction Shri John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, welcomed welcomed Shri Rahul Gandhi, MP on behalf of the Syiems, Dolloi, Lyngdoh, and Nokma to Meghalaya, and thanked him for the interaction.
Shri John Kharshiing, stated during the interaction that it was due to the vision of former Prime Minister (Late) Rajiv Gandhi, who in his statement, while introducing the Panchayati Raj Bill in Parliament on 15th May 1989, spoke of the need to exempt Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram from the 73rd and 74th Amendments Act, and stated quote “The Bill recognizes that in the three states of North East – Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram – there are traditional systems of self Government, akin to Panchayati Raj, which must be preserved…… In these three states the Traditional systems will be left undisturbed”…
Shri John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, further stated during the brief interaction that the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17 August 1948, entered into between the Government of India and the Khasi States has not been settled or concluded till date. The settlement of the National Commitment would reduce the conflict that erupted from time to time in Meghalaya, and pave the way for constitutional space by way of a legislative party-less federal council or regional council specifically for the traditional institutions of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Chiefs within the Constitution of India and urged for his intervention in view of ongoing discussions between the ADCs, the State and Center relating to the amendments to the Sixth Schedule.
Shri Rahul Gandhi, MP was informed of the unique re-call process existing in the party less traditional institutions of the Syiem, Dolloi, Sirdar, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Rangbah Shnong, Sordar Shnong Nokma, and that there was no fixed term, he was informed that the Chiefs continued as long as they enjoyed the confidence of the Dorbar Hima ( State Parliament)
Shri. Rahul Gandhi, MP & Vice President, AICC, enquired as to the status and challenges of the present traditional institutions and their traditions and values in the urban context of Meghalaya, he also further enquired as to the recall process of election existing for Syiem, Dolloi, Sirdar, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Rangbah Shnong, Sordar Shnong and Nokma and stated that the traditional institutions in Meghalaya and North East, according to his understanding had valuable processes that were spoken by Mahatma Ghandhi.
Shri. Rahul Gandhi, MP & Vice President, AICC, also interacted with the Chiefs on the Tourism potential of Meghalaya and enquired about the status of infrastructure in the tourist spots of Meghalaya such as Sohra (Cherrapunjee) and other places.
A note on the above issues were submitted, and he assured the delegation that these issues would be properly examined and looked into.
The delegation comprised of Paiem Niandro Syiemiong, Syiem of Hima Maharam Syiemship, Shri. Niandro Syiemiong, President, Federation of Khasi States, Shri. Kodin Nongrum, Myntri of Hima Sohra Syiemship, Shri. Elijius Sawian, Executive Member, Hima Sohra Syiemship, Shri. Kephas Langstieh, Myntri of Hima Mylliem Syiemship, and was led by Bah John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Chairman, Ka Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, & Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States.(SP News)
