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Rally for empowerment of traditional bodies

By Correspondent

SHILLONG, May 30 � Braving pouring rain, thousands of people converged at the Polo Grounds here today for a public meeting convened by the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (SKRS) where six resolutions were adopted calling for empowerment of traditional institutions.

SKRS � a conglomerate of traditional institutions and heads � set June 10 as the deadline to the State Government for resolving the issues that were highlighted in the resolutions.

The meeting resolved that the district council and the State Government must resolve the present crisis by approving the two bills passed by the Khasi and Jaintia Hills District Councils.

The Meghalaya High Court has recently passed an order that curtailed the powers of the traditional heads in issuing certificates to residents unless empowered by legislation.

The rally was called to discuss the Khasi Hills District Council Village Administrative Bill, 2014 and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Establishment of Elaka and Village, Election, Appointment, Powers, Functions and Jurisdiction of Dolloi, Sirdar and Waheh Shnong) Bill, 2015. The two Bills were passed by the district councils, but need Government approval.

On the other hand, an ordinance was approved by the Governor on Friday that seeks to empower traditional heads and institutions. SKRS president, Werlok Kharshiing, said he had not gone through the contents of the Ordinance and so refused to comment on it.

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