Government to pass ordince to empower headmen

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, May 8: The state government has decided to formulate an ordince as temporary relief to empower the Headmen (Rangbah Shnong) after they were stripped off their powers by the Meghalaya High Court.

According to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, the government will formulate an ordince which will be examined by the Cabinet on Monday after a meeting with his cabinet colleagues on Friday.

Dr Sangma said that the ordince will ensure that traditiol institutions are involved in developmental activities.

The Chief Minister said that during the meeting with his ministers it has been made clear that based on the provisions of the constitution certain things are linked with involving the traditiol institutions in developmental programmes of the government.

“We will have to seek the mandate of the state legislature so that legislative measure can be undertaken to ensure the involvement of traditiol institutions in matters of developmental programmes,” Dr Sangma said.

However, the state government’s plan to work on an ordince may face opposition from various groups including the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

According many quarters, the ordince may dilute the powers of the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in the state.

According to Dr Sangma, the ordince will give complete clarity on the mandate and jurisdiction of the government.