Shillong, August 17: As part of remembering the commitments made in the treaty Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement accepted and signed by Shri. C Rajagopalachari, Governor General, Dominion of India and the 25 Khasi States individually and collectively 72 years ago on 17th August 1948.
A delegation of eight from the Federation of Khasi States, in commemorating the 72 years on the 17th August 2020 the same day of signing this important treaty the Khasi Chiefs proceeded to the Meghalaya BJP Office, at Bivar Road Shillong, led by Paiem Kestonbel M Syiemlieh, Dy Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw, Shri. John F Kharshiing, Adviser & Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States.
The delegation comprised of Shri. Hamphrey L Ryntathiang, Lyngdoh Hima Lyngiong & Secretary, FKS, Shri. Habapan S Syiem, Dy Syiem Hima Khyrim, Joint Secy, FKS, Shri. Khlainni Lyngdoh Nongbri, Lyngdoh Raid Nongbri, Hima khyrim, Shri, Wandonbok Jyrwa Lyngdoh Khynnah Raid Lawkhla, Hima Nongspung, Shri. S Sohliya, Myntri Hima Mawphlang, Shri. J Hunter Jarain, Joint Secy Hima Nongmynsaw, met Shri. Ernest Mawrie, President, Meghalaya Bharatiya Janata Party, and other BJP office bearers in the BJP office at Bivar Road, Shillong.
In the meeting the FKS handed over a cheque of INR 1,15,000/- (One Lakh Fifteen Thousand Only) as contribution towards the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund).
It may be recalled that the Khasi Hima namely Hima Khyrim, Hima Nongstoin, Hima Nongkhlaw, Hima Mawphlang, Hima Mylliem had also earlier individually contributed to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund.
During the meeting Shri John F Kharshiing, Adviser & Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States also handed over extracts of the summary of recommendations of the Vajpayee led National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) which was submitted to the Government of India on 31st March 2002.
The recommendations were for amending the Sixth Schedule for nominating five Syiem, five Dolloi and five Nokmas as Nominated members of their respective Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills District Councils in Meghalaya besides also recommending the nomination of women and others as part of further empowerment for the traditional institutions. Mr Kharshiing, requested the President Meghalaya BJP to kindly forward this important document to Shri. Nalin Kholi, BJP Spokesperson, who has requested for a copy of this extract.
Mr Kharshiing, also informed that earlier during 2015-2016 the State Cabinet led by Dr Mukul Sangma, during the Congress led Government had recommended one to be nominated from the traditional Chiefs (Syiem/Dolloi/Nokma) however this issue is yet to be resolved till date as the amendment of the Sixth SCheduled is still pending. Shri. Kharshiing, requested Shri. E Mawrie, President, Meghalaya BJP to kindly examine the recommendations of the Vajpayee led Government during 2002.
Mr E Mawrie, President, Meghalaya BJP, assured that he would take this up with the party officials and the Central leaders for examining the matter. There was also a mention as to the need for depoliticizing the Sixth Schedule so as to expedite the codification of the customs laws of the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
During the discussions it was also mentioned that in the past the KHADC had passed three BILLS during 2006; 2015; and recently during 2018 legislated by Late former CEM HS Shylla, who passed the bill to facilitate the creation of a Council for the Traditional Institutions however all three BILLS were regected by the State Government stating absence of Legislative competency within the provisions of the Sixth Schedule for the KHADC to pass such legislation and hence regected the BILLS.
Mr. Kharshiing highlighted this shows that it is only the Central Government that is supposed to create such a legislation with in the Constitution of India to address the issues of the Khasi States as per the IOA & AA.
Paiem Kestonbel Manik Syiemlieh Dy Syiem Hima Nongkhlaw, President, FKS, and Shri. HL Ryntathiang, Lyngdoh Hima Lyngiong, Secretary, FKS, urged the Meghalaya BJP to draw the attention of the BJP led Central Government to address this long pending issue of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement so as to come to an amicable conclusion and solution.
