SHILLONG, Sept 6 - A public meeting convened by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) at the Polo Grounds here yesterday adopted several resolutions to �safeguard� the interest of traditional Institutions and heads.
The meeting of Dorbar Bah (Grand Assembly) consisting of village chieftains from Khasi-Jaintia Hills resolved that Rangbah Shnongs (headmen) would issue residential certificates under the KHADC (Appointment and Succession of Chiefs and Headmen) Rules, 2015.
The special rules were adopted by the KHADC at a session convened on August 20 this year. The Meghalaya High Court earlier this year barred the headmen from issuing certificates, stating, unless they are empowered by legislation they cannot issue such certificates.
It was also resolved that the KHADC would give permission for construction of buildings in Scheduled areas from Monday.
The Council and the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) are at loggerheads over the issue. MUDA building bye-laws are applicable in some Scheduled areas as per a recent Government notification.
KHADC chief, PN Syiem, who read out the resolution before a large gathering, said, the traditional heads are also opposed against the State Government�s proposed draft Bill � Meghalaya Local Administration (Involvement of Traditional Institutions, Traditional Bodies and Headmen in Governance and Public Delivery System) Bill, 2015.
He said instead of the Bill framed by the State Government, the Village Administration Bill, which the Council has passed on the subject of empowering traditional heads and Institutions must be given approval by the Government.
The meeting also resolved to bring traditional Institutions and heads under one umbrella christened Federation of Traditional Dorbars.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister has convened a meeting with leaders of all political parties on September 9 to discuss the draft bill to empower the traditional heads and Institutions.
