Shillong, Feb 25: The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SRKBH), a conglomerate of tribal clan elders, on Monday sought the intervention of the Governor Tathagata Roy for the speedy passage of the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018 passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), last year..
“It is therefore requested that you take appropriate action and (ensure) the Bill is assented at the earliest for the interest of the 5204 indigenous clans (Kur),” SRKBH president HS Shylla in a memorandum to the governor.
Shylla who is also the incumbent KHADC chief, said that the purpose of the Clan Bill is to help the tribal clans organize in a proper manner with due recognition from the authority concern.
He said the other reason that has prompted the Council to legislate this Bill is to prevent the misuse of clan titles by other non indigenous people who wants to benefit from the privileges entitled to tribal population under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Shylla also cited for instance there are people who have changed their title through affidavits mainly for the purpose to evade tax and exploit economic opportunity.
“Therefore there is an immediate need to regulate the function and administration of clans under the Act of the district council,” he said adding that the Bill was also necessitated to authorise the clans to issue clan certificate in order to avail the Khasi tribe certificate,
Urging the governor to consider giving his assent to the Bill, Shylla said that paragraph 3 (3) of the Sixth Schedule clearly spells out that all laws made under this paragraph shall be submitted forthwith to the Governor and until assented to by him, shall have no effect.
According to him, this has been complied with under the provisions of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of DIstrict Councils) Rules, 1951 as amended.
Asked, the KHADC chief told reporters that the Governor has assured the delegation that he would look into the matter seriously.
“He (Roy) also assured that he would immediately write to the state government on the matter,” Shylla said.