SHILLONG, Oct 28 - An Ordinance approved by Meghalaya Government to empower traditional heads and Institutions lapsed today.
The Meghalaya Local Administration (Empowerment of Traditional Institutions, Traditional Bodies and Headmen in Governance and Public Delivery System) Ordinance 2015 was promulgated by Governor V Shanmuganathan on May 29 last, which has lapsed.
After the Ordinance was promulgated there was a huge outcry from Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, which opposed it stating only the Council has the authority to pass legislations to empower traditional chiefs and headmen.
Due to opposition against the ordinance, the State Government indicated earlier that it would allow the Ordinance to lapse and in its place a new Bill would be drafted after taking the views of all stakeholders. The process to frame the Bill has already begun.
In the meantime, KHADC and JHADC passed Bills that proposes to empower traditional heads and Institutions. The Bills are before the Governor awaiting his assent.
However, the Raj Bhavan has said that the Bills are being studied at appropriate levels before he gives his assent.
Both the State Government and the district councils have undertaken the process to empower traditional chiefs after the Meghalaya High Court ruled that they don�t have authority to give residential certificates unless authorised by law.
The village chiefs and headmen under the banner of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep have sought dismissal of the Congress-led government for delaying the approval of the Bills. The organisation has also called a procession on October 30 to protest against the State Government.
