Meghalaya Minister Fights KHADC Non-Tribal Licensing Bill

Shillong: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai wants the Governor to kill a new bill. He met Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar on Monday to block the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Trading by Non-Tribals Amendment Bill, 2026. The legislation forces every non-tribal employee to get a service licence for their job.

Shullai claims the bill is unconstitutional. He argues the Council overstepped its authority under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The 1954 law was meant to control traders, not their staff. Shullai stated, "The amendment attempts to regulate employees working in businesses instead of limiting its scope to traders."

The Minister warned that the bill creates unnecessary red tape. He insisted that existing state laws already handle migrant labor effectively. Approving this, he says, invites legal chaos. Shullai believes the Council pushed the bill for political reasons despite obvious legal flaws. He cited potential conflicts with the state legislature and argued the move violates basic rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21.