KHADC empowers RS, define powers

SHILLONG, AUG 20: On the backdrop of the Meghalaya high court clipping the powers of the headmen to issue certificates, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Thursday approved and passed the KHAD (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Rules, 2015 seeking to empower the rangbah shnong and paving way for them to issue birth/death certificates, residential certificates besides other day to day functions.

The approval was passed during the special session of KHADC on Thursday.

However, the rules will come into force only after it is notified in the Meghalaya Gazette. KHADC CEM PN Syiem promised that the executive committee is already on the job to speed up the process of getting it notified in the state gazette.

The approval of the rules seeking to empower the traditional institutions and headmen was passed with the support five opposition MDCs from United Democratic Party (UDP) and Khun Hynniewtrep Awakening Movement (KHNAM). But most of the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) MDCs failed to attend the special session despite official communication sent to them by the legislative branch of KHADC.

“We have approved and pass the rules, 2015 with the intention to clearly define the powers and functions of the headmen, the executive dorbar shnong and the dorbar shnong,” KHADC CEM PN Syiem told reporters after the session.

According to him, for the past many years, though the Act was in place but the rules were not framed.

“Therefore, the rules has been drafted by the executive committee as per rule 36 (21) Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Act, 1959, which states that subject to the approval of the district council, the executive committee may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act,” he said.

The decision by the KHADC came after Meghalaya High Court in its ruling last year stripped the powers of the traditional headmen barring them from issuing any kind of certificates until and unless empower by rule or law.

“With this measure, it will now pave way for the Rangbah Shnong to exercise their powers in as far as authenticating birth/death certificates, residential certificates besides other day to day disposal,” Syiem said.

Besides the duties, the rules have also defined the qualification and term of office of the Rangbah Shnong, executive Dorbar Shnong and Dorbar Shnong.

“We have not stated any particulars for the term of office as this will depend as per customary practices in the respective Elakas and Himas,” Syiem said.

Interestingly, the KHADC has also taken the initiative to streamline the role of the traditional institutions in term of sale or purchase of land within their respective jurisdiction.

“This will bring in transparency and address the problem of overcharging by them,” he said adding “As per the rules, a Dorbar Shnong may authorized a Rangbah Shnong/Sordar/Headmen together with some recognized elders of a village as primary witness(s) in sale or purchase of any land situated within its jurisdiction.”

Syiem informed the collection of any fees from the seller or buyer of any land shall by notification be fixed by the Executive Committee of the District Council.-By Our Reporter