Khasi traditional chiefs meet Meghalaya Home Minister James K Sangma

A Correspondent

Shillong: A delegation comprising of Khasi traditional chiefs on Friday met James K Sangma, Home Minister who is also in-charge of District Council Affairs and submitted a petition requesting the Government of Meghalaya to recommend the Bill Constitution of Subordinate Council of Traditional Chiefs Rules 2018, passed by the KHADC on the October 26, this year.

According to John F Kharshiing, Chairman, the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, & Spokesperson, Federation of Khasi States, Sangma sought time as he said that the matter would be examined by Law and Political Departments keeping in view the earlier memorandums already submitted by the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya.

Kharshiing also stated that during the discussions the Home Minister was also informed that in the past the KHADC had notified a number of committees for the Khasi Chiefs on such committee was notified as Federation of Khasi Traditional Chiefs August 2, 2001, however whenever there is change in the KHADC the committee becomes null and void.

“There was also another attempt by the previous CEM during 2016 who then named the Bill “Council of Traditional Dorbar” and the composition had the CEM and Five MDCs as members, this bill too was passed and forwarded to the Governor its fate is yet to be known,” Kharshiing said.

The traditional chiefs of Meghalaya had also in the past attempted to make themselves heard by submitting a proposal for including a separate Thirteenth Schedule for such Institutions of Self Government, and this proposal was submitted to the National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) when Late Purno A Sangma, former Speaker Lok Sabha was a member of the NCRWC.

The NCRWC had proposed that five Syiems, Five Dollois, and Five Nokmas be nominated as members of the District Councils.

Earlier the previous State Government had constituted a Committee on Traditional Institutions headed by Dr DD Lapang, it was shortlived and dissolved due to pressure from the then CEM of the KHADC.

Meanwhile, the traditional heads informed Home Minister that the Federation of Khasi States continue to pursue the fulfillment and inclusion of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement on 17 August 1948, treaty within the Constitution of India under a special Article 370, and that this was and will be only a part of the process of providing space and the earlier Memorandums with the State Government and MHA was already available, what was pending was political will to address the issues of the Traditional Institutions of Meghalaya.

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