Shillong June 04: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, (comprising of Ka Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynniewtrep, Federation of Khasi States, Sirdarship, Dolloi & Council of Nokma) which met today at Lumjingsuk, Demthring, Shillong, to discuss the proposed amendment to the 6th Schedule and the letter from the Ministry of Home Affiars, addressed to the Chief Secretary, vide D.O. No.9/10/2012-NE-1 Dated 18th July 2012, which sought for the views and comments from the Govt of Meghalaya regarding the Memorandum from the Chiefs for a separate PartyLess Council in the proposed Thirteen Schedule of the Constitution of India.
After through deliberations the Grand Council of Chiefs resolved the following,that the KHADC should not introduce the creation of Village Development Board and or Village Development Council within the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule and should also not propose constitution of such bodies within the proposed Village Administration Bill 2013 as this would be a serious contradiction to the customary role, function duties and responsibility of the Dorbar Shnong, as it would also create parallel institutions within the same village. They also pointed out to the fact that so many state, central, and even MLA & MP developmental scheme were presently being implemented by the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.
That what is urgently required was amendment to codify the customary and social administrative, judicial, laws and practices of the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima As till date out of the 25 Khasi States, only 12 Appointment & Succession Acts have been legislated by the KHADC, while no Acts have been legislated till date by the KHADC for the other 13 important Khasi States. Two Khasi States, that is Nongstoin Syiemship and Maharam Syiemship, have separate KHADC Acts and Rules, while the KHADC is yet to legislate and frame Rules for the rest 23 Khasi States. With regards to the 29 Sirdarships (erstwhile British Areas), the KHADC authorities have legislated only 7 Sirdarship Acts against the 29 in existence.
That a delegation of the Chiefs led by the Chairman would meet the District Council and Government of Meghalaya to urge them to take up with the Central Authorities for a positive initiation of a Partyless Council for the traditional tribal governing institutions of Meghalaya, in accordance with the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 17 August 1948, in view of the views sought by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
That the Seng Samla, Seng Longkmie Youths, NGOs, Village Chiefs, Village Elders, Clan Chiefs, Chiefs of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya will convene for the third successive year on the 13th August at 11 Am in the Khasi National Dorbar, Mawkhar, Shillong to discuss the lapse of 65 years since acceptance of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement on 17 August 1948 by the Government of India.(SP News)
