Lapang committee seeks extension

SHILLONG, OCT 16: The DD Lapang led committee has sought four months extension even as it directed the three Autonomous District Councils to study and give their views on the draft bill to institutionalize traditional institutions by November end.

“We have decided to seek extension till January 31 next year from the state government to be able to finalize the process relating to the institutionalization of traditional institutions in the state,” Chief Adviser to the Government DD Lapang, who is heading the committee, told reporters after a meeting on Friday.

The committee has also discussed the proposed draft bill entitled – ‘Meghalaya Grassroot Institution Governance Act’ at the meeting attended by chiefs of the three autonomous district councils – KHADC, JHADC & GHADC among others.

Stating since the bill needs proper scrutiny and proper discussion, Lapang said, “We have decided to send the draft bill to all the 3 ADCs with a direction that they complete the process of studying and giving their views by the end of next month (November).”

According to him, the main committee has also emphasized that the ADCs in the process apart from giving amendments can also proposed fresh proposals. “With this, we want to ensure the actual colour of the bill is not diluted or minimize the importance of tradition,” he said.

Lapang further informed that after the whole exercise is completed by November, the committee will again sit with all the three district councils to discuss properly on the bill before arriving at a unanimous decision.

Earlier, majority of the traditional chiefs and heads had decided to quit as members of the committee.

When asked on this, Lapang said, “They have withdrawn from the committee as they have mixed up the issue,” adding “Again, I reiterated that the purpose of this committee is to legalize and put in proper form the traditions and usages.”

He,however, said, “Since the three chief executive members (CEMs) of the district councils are still members of the committee, the traditional institutions ultimately are covered under the committee.”

Meanwhile, while the traditional heads are demanding for immediate approval of the Village Administration Bills (VABs) which are pending with the Governor, the state government however is still in the process of putting in place a new bill.

When enquired whether the existence of too many bills having the same common purpose will not create confusion or further raised the fear of infringing into the powers of the ADCs, Lapang said, “We hope there will be no clash because the proposed bill talks about legalizing the traditional bodies in a proper way,” adding “There is no question of diluting the powers of the ADCs, it is only a bill not yet an Act.”- By Our Reporter