SHILLONG, NOV 13: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has asked the different Khasi clans to submit their views and suggestions on the proposed draft KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018 within November 18.
“The Clan Administration Bill is related to the Khasi Lineage Bill passed recently by the House, which clearly stated the need for all Khasis to obtain the Khasi clan certificate,” KHADC chief Hispreaching Son Shylla said on Tuesday.
The Clan Administration Bill (CAB) which seeks to make it mandatory for all the tribal clans in the Khasi Hills region to register with the district council is all set to be introduced in the upcoming three-day winter session of the Council to be held from November 20-22.
There are more than 4,000 plus tribal clans in the region.
Speaking to reporters after convening a meeting with the different Clans, Shylla informed that clans have suggested that the CAB should only look into the aspect of registration without interfering into their functionings.
“We have decided to circulate the draft Bill to all the clans for their views and suggestions and they are requested to submit the same within November 18,” he said.
Pointing at the important role of the Clans when it comes to issuing of the Khasi clan certificate, Shylla said, “The Seng Kur (clan organization) or the Clan elder will be the authority to issue such certificate. However, they (clans) cannot issue the clan certificate if they are not registered with the KHADC.”
Asked, the KHADC chief executive member said that when this Bill becomes an Act, it is mandatory for the applicants to produce the Khasi clan certificate for obtaining the Khasi Tribe Certificate from the KHADC.
The Khasi Tribe Certificate is one of the important documents for obtaining the Schedule Tribe certificate issued by the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
However stating that there has been apprehensions expressed with regard to the online system of accepting such applications, Shylla said, “But it was clarified by the office of the DC that Khasi Tribe Certificate is an important document to obtain the ST certificate. If it not happening like that then we will surely write to the state government on this matter.”
He further urged all the clans to come forward and register with the KHADC to avoid any problem in the future.
Meanwhile, Shylla informed that the meeting has further resolved not to accept those who are taking their father’s clan (title) and those who anglicised the spelling of their clans like in the case of ‘Suting’ to ‘Suttinck’, ‘Khain’ to ‘Chyne’, ‘Khongwir’ to ‘Conville’ and others.
By Our Reporter
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