Shillong: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) approved the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on the final day of its summer session. This legislation modernizes land management by introducing digital records, online services, and a dedicated Land Tribunal to adjudicate ownership and boundary disputes.
A significant change within the Bill involves Section 16 of the original 2021 Act. The Council removed the mandate requiring the Executive Committee to consult with the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima before enforcing land ceiling provisions. Powell Sohkhlet, the Executive Member in charge of Land, noted that previous consultations failed to prevent the shrinking of Raid lands.
Explaining the policy shift, Sohkhlet stated, “Therefore, to ensure that the provisions relating to land ceiling are implemented effectively and in accordance with the law, it became necessary to amend Section 16 by removing the requirement for prior consultation.”
The updated framework legalizes the use of digital signatures, QR code authentication, and computerised maps. Each land parcel will receive a unique identification number, and the Council is authorized to conduct geospatial surveys across Ri Kynti and Ri Raid territories. These digital records will hold the same legal weight as physical documentation in court and before the new Land Tribunal.
To encourage efficiency, the Council will launch a dedicated portal for services such as mutation applications, fee payments, and record downloads. To protect the integrity of this new system, the Bill imposes penalties of up to Rs 50,000 for anyone caught tampering with digital data. The legislation now heads to the Governor for final assent.
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