The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has admitted that there may be some anomalies in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (Administration and Election of Sordars of Saw Raid, Khyrim Syiemship) Act, 1997 that may require to be rectified.
The KHADC’s admission came on the writ petition filed in the Meghalaya High Court by Khun Kur Longtrai Lai Kynthei of Raid Shabong, Khyrim Syiemship.
The Khun Kur Longtrai Lai Kynthei, Raid Shabong had challenged certain provisions of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (Administration and Election of Sordars of Saw Raid, Khyrim Syiemship) Act, 1997.
The petitioner stated that the provisions are at variance with the traditional and customary practices of the local tribes of Raid Shabong.
During a hearing in the division bench of the High Court today, the KHADC through its lawyer V G K Kynta told the court that a comprehensive new Act was enacted in 2018 and forwarded to the Governor for his assent, but the same has been returned upon minor queries being raised.
Kynta further submitted on behalf of the District Council that there may be some anomalies in the 1997 Act that may require to be taken care of.
According to the District Council, it is more than likely that with the assent of the Governor being obtained to the proposed Act of 2018, the petitioners’ concerns may have been addressed; or else, an amendment may have to be introduced to the 1997 Act to remove the perceived anomalies.
Following the submissions by the KHADC, the High Court has given four weeks for the District Council to report whether the proposed Act of 2018 has been approved by the Governor. The matter will come up for hearing on May 5.
