KHADC to examine free land registration

SHILLONG, MAR 26: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the executive committee will examine the legality and effectiveness of the proposed need to provide free registration of land to the people especially those residing along the inter-state border with Assam.

“The executive committee will examine and study the legality aspect on the need to provide free land registration,” Basaiawmoit said.

Basaiawmoit was replying to the motion raised by Congress MDC Victor Ranee during the ongoing KHADC session on the problems faced by the people residing in border areas with regards to registration of land.

According to Basaiawmoit, the KHADC needs to understand as to what extent this can be effective to stop and prevent alienation of tribal indigenous land. “The executive committee will also require the suggestion and advice of legal experts since the matter is a subject of concern.” he said.

Earlier, Ranee said that the land registration system of the district council is too expensive, which has instead encouraged the people living in the border to register their lands with Assam government on ground that they can register land for free.

According to him, many lands belonging to the people living under the jurisdiction of the KHADC have been registered in Assam.

Supporting the motion, Laitumkhrah-Malki MDC Antonio N War, while stressing the need to provide free land registration, alleged that the traditional heads like the Sordar and Syiem are harassing the people by taking advantage of the flaws in the land registration system of the council.

He said that people have to depend for their land documents on dulir issued by the traditional authorities which does not have legal recognition.

Pointing out that district council does have a proper map to define the areas under the different himas, War suggested that the executive committee to direct the himas to prepare proper maps of their respective jurisdiction for inclusion in the council’s land record which is legally recognized.

Basaiawmoit assured the house that his EC would find out ways and means to prevent tribal lands from further alienated.

Meanwhile, MDC Jansing Tynsong emphasized on the need to have a strong and effective land bill.

Admitting on the need to have a land law in place, Basaiawmoit said the executive committee would examine the matter. He also sought the support of the Opposition bench to work together with the EC if the matter is to be taken up with the state government.

Basaiawmoit informed that the EC will soon denotify and reconstitute all the committees constituted by the previous executive committee in order to proceed with issues concerning the people and the region.- By Our Reporter