Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) passes Bill on Inner Line Permit

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on the last day of the special session on Friday passed the Bill on Inner Line Permit which is to be applied in the scheduled areas, the KHDA (Inner Line as adopted from the Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873) Regulation Bill, 2018.

The other bills which was passed in the house included the Lineage Bill of the KHADC, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (First Amendment), Bill, 2018 was also passed, the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Establishment of Town Committee) (Second Amendment), Rules, 2018 and Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of Subordinate Council of Traditional Chiefs and headmen) Rules, 2018.

Speaking to reporters after the session, KHADC CEM HS Shylla commented on the statement made by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma that the subject of ILP is not under the jurisdiction of the district council.

“While his take on the subject matter is correct as it is not in the Sixth Schedule but the Council has taken the move through the additional powers that have been conferred on us by the regulation of 1952. This regulation is not there in the Garo Hills. But it is only there in the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills which means the KHADC and JHADC,” he said.

He said that as the Chief Minister has not been briefed properly on this subject matter, there seems to be a communication gap between the officers of the government with the CM.

When asked as to when the passed Bills would be sent to the Meghalaya Governor for his assent, he said, “It will take some time as the Legislative wing of the council will have to complete all the formalities concerning the four Bills and then sent it to the governor.”

He also informed that the Executive Committee of the district Council will also examine the Safely and Security Act 2016 of the State government and compare it with the KHDA (Inner Line as adopted from the Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873) Regulation Bill, 2018 and analyze which one is better to check influx.