Shillong, Oct 04: The Federation of Khasi States which met today on 3rd October 2019 at Lumjingsuk, Demthring Shillong after detail discussions on the upcoming Amendment of the Sixth Schedule resolved to meet Shri Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister, to discuss the rejection of the three bills related to providing constitutional space to the Traditional Institutions of Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Dolloi and Nokma
The three Bills are, THE KHASI HILLS AUTINOMOUS DISTRICT (CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERATION OF THE KHASI TRADITIONAL CHIEFS ) BILL, passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council on 26th October 2006, and which was rejected by the Governor vide DCA Department letter – No.DCA.54/2006/22 dated 11th October 2007, stating “it is found that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council does not have the legislative competence under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution to enact such a Bill and to convey that the Governor has rejected the Bill ”.
The second Bills, The KHASI HILLS AUTINOMOUS DISTRICT (CONSTITUTION OF COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL DORBAR) BILL , passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council on 3rd March 2016 and the recent BILL and the third bill is The KHASI HILLS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT (CONSTITUTION OF SUBORDINATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL CHIEFS AND HEADMEN ) RULES, 2018, as per Notification No. DC.XXVII/GENL/97/2018/4 under Rule 73(2) of the AD Rules 1951 issued on 23rd October 2018 by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
With this background the Federation of Khasi States which met today resolved to meet the hon’ble u Chief Minister to discuss this situation and to seek clarification that if the KHADC is not empowered then the appropriate authority which is the State or Parliament must take initiative towards fulfilling this constitutional space for the Traditional Institutions such as the Khasi States and the Council of Nokmas.
The State Government in its earlier replies during 2007 and subsequent replies should while clarifying that the District council under the Sixth Schedule was not empowered to pass such Bill should have invited the KHADC and the FKS to a discussions to explain that it was the State or Parliament who had the power to pass such Bills and taken steps towards such legislation.
The FKS authorised Adviser & Spokesperson, FKS to seek appointment with Hon’ble Chief Minister Meghalaya and the delegation would also include the Dolloi from jaintia hills and the Council of Nokmas from Garo Hills.
