Sangma calls all party meet

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Sept 4: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday invited all the political parties to deliberate on the vexed issue pertaining to the proposed legislation that aims at replacing the two month’s old ordince on empowering the traditiol institutions.

It may be mentioned that the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Pynshngain N Syiem has called on all the traditiol Chiefs and Headmen to discuss on the Village administration Bill (VAB) at Polo ground tomorrow. It is seen as a virtual retort to the Chief Minister initiative by the CEM who is also leading the Congress led People’s democratic forum (PDF) at the council.

A well placed source closed to the Chief Minister agreed that the intent of the meeting is appreciated, yet it is not desirable because the Government has taken steps to oversee the lacus before filizing the draft Meghalaya Local Administration (Involvement of Traditiol Institutions, Traditiol Bodies and Headmen in Governce and Public Delivery System) Bill, 2015.

The CEM of the KHADC has exclusively told The Sentinel that his interest is to protect the sixth scheduled areas. He went on saying that his executive committee will go to any legal extent to protect the customary laws and traditions.

However, it is crystal clear that the issue related to empowering the traditiol institutions is another power game that will galvanize in the Congress ruling camp.