SHILLONG:
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Bill, 2020, that was first introduced and passed in 2018, will see the light of the day in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council’s (KHADC) upcoming summer session, slated to be held from July 6.
Informing this after chairing the council’s executive committee (EC) meeting on June 21, KHADC chief executive member (CEM) Titosstarwell Chyne said that it will be done to safeguard the interest of the indigenous community.
Chyne said that a special committee was constituted on April 7, 2020 after the Bill was returned by the Governor with a message in 2019. The special committee, headed by Bindo M Lanong, on February 25, had handed over the new Bill, 2020 to the executive committee and accordingly, the EC had circulated the Bill to all the members of district council (MDCs) for their views and suggestions.
“Unfortunately, we have not received any views or suggestions from the MDCs which means that they all have accepted the Bill as it is,” Chyne said.
The KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018, which seeks to bar non-tribals from taking the surname of a Khasi clan, was first introduced and passed during the tenure of (L) Hispreaching Son Shylla as the KHADC chief executive member. The 2018 Bill had clearly stated that a non-tribal claiming to be a Khasi tribal by taking a Khasi surname within the jurisdiction of the KHADC for economic and personal interests will face a jail term of three years with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
“Whoever commits an offence under this Act and other provision of this Act shall on conviction by a first-class magistrate be punishable with imprisonment for a term of three years or with fine which may extend from Rs 20,000 up to Rs 1 lakh or with both for the first offence and above punishment shall be doubled for every subsequent offence. An offence under this Act is also cognisable and non-bailable,” it had stated.
The Bill also seeks to empower the Dorbar of Seng Kurs (clan organisations) registered with the KHADC to issue Khasi Clan Certificate and stated that no Khasi Tribe Certificate will be issued without such Clan (Kur) Certificate. There are over 4,000 tribal clans in the Khasi Hills region.
Meanwhile, the EC has decided to organise a cleaning drive on June 24. All employees of the council will participate in the cleaning drive, Chyne said.
He said the EC has also taken cognizance of the complaints received about outsiders misusing the MDC hostel adding “we will address and resolve all issues including problems related to parking space, security and installation of CCTVs.”