SHILLONG, JUNE 23: The committee constituted for institutionalizing traditional institutions has sought two months extension to submit its recommendations to the state government. The committee headed by the state government adviser DD Lapang has also asked the government to submit the details of the proposals of the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule to ensure that the customary laws remain intact.
“Having seen the subject is complicated and time consuming, we have decided to request the government to extend the timeframe to another two months to enable the committee to make some suggestions which will benefit the purpose of this committee,” Lapang told newsmen after a meeting on Tuesday.
Earlier, the state government had directed the committee, constituted on March 3, to submit its recommendation within a period of three months, which expired this month.
The committee has also constituted two sub committees – working committee and legal sub-committee.
“These committees will get all formalities, modalities and collection of facts from the grass root level and existing traditional bodies,” Lapang said while informing a one month time was given for them to submit their reports.
The working committee will be headed by W Kharshiing as chairman, SD Khongwir as co-chairman and eight others members along with Under Secretary of political department as convener.
The legal sub-committee will be headed by the Advocate General KS Kynjing as chairman, Additional Advocate General WHD Syngkon, Erwin K Sutnga, Dr MPR Lyngdoh and AG Momin as members and secretary Law department as convener.
Lapang informed that the committee will also seek the details of the proposals of the amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
“The amendment of the sixth schedule is pending in the Parliament and this committee has discussed this. We would like to know the details of the proposals of the amendment because the sixth schedule is fully in the interest of the tribal people like their safeguard, protection and to see land is free and custom are not affected, usages remain intact,” Lapang said.
According to him, the committee also wanted to ensure that the traditional qualities and practices and the way of life should not be affected.
“We will see and request government of Meghalaya to forward our observations that amendments will be intact so that the customary laws will not be affected rather it should be improved so we can see that the existence of the traditional will not be in any way damaged,” Lapang said.
Refusing to admit that there has been a delay on the part of the committee, Lapang said, “There is no delay. We have only requested for time to find out facts and figures before submitting our report to the state government.”
Stating that this committee has got nothing to do with VAB or the ordinance, Lapang said, “This committee is meant to find out the modality to institutionalize the existing traditional institutions.”
He further stated that the government has not constituted this committee to meet the crisis of the headmen. “You should not mix up because we have not decided to involve with this issue. Our responsibility is to stick with the guidelines,” Lapang reiterated.
Admitting that he is aware of Governor returning back the VAB of the KHADC, Lapang, however, said, “One of the decisions taken today is that we have requested the government to dispose of the bill, as we represent the grievances of the people.”
The term of reference for the committee is to examine if any legislative measures would be required for this purpose and if so to attempt a model bill besides eliciting suggestions from respective stakeholders in documented form specific to the subject.- By Our Reporter
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