Shillong: The District Council Affairs Department and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council are fighting over who knew what and when. The state claims it sent informal warnings about the 2026 Amendment Bill in August and September. The Council denies this entirely.
The bill aims to scrap Section 16 of the principal Act. This section forces leaders to talk with traditional institutions like the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid, and Dorbar Hima before settling land allotments. Traditional groups fear losing control over community property. The ruling National People’s Party also opposes the change.
The DCA insists it alerted the Council to the Law Department's concerns long before the Governor acted. An official from the KHADC Legislative Wing says otherwise. They state, "The Council only received the Governor’s message on October 19."
This friction boiled over on October 14. KHADC Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana blocked MDC Equator Nongrang from discussing reports that the Governor rejected the bill. Kharjana claimed he could not act on media chatter. Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh backed him up, citing a lack of official paperwork. Leader of the Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne blasted the decision. He argued the House ignored a matter of public importance.
The state officially sent the Governor's observations via email and hard copy on October 15. The Council finally signed off on receipt four days later.
Comments