The executive committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), led by Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem, today met Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan on the various bills returned by the expert committee of the District Council Affairs Department.
The bills returned comprise seven from the KHADC’s Elaka Department and the Clan Bill. Syiem said that the EC will sit for an emergency meeting to rectify all the shortcomings in the eight bills.
“We have spoken with the Governor that we will send the bills back after rectification and also stressed the need for the Governor to give his approval to the clan bill,” the CEM told reporters.
Syiem, though, was happy that the Land Act and amendment to the Markets Act was approved.
“The provision in the Sixth Schedule has given us the power to make laws and bring regulations to strengthen us on the ownership over land and now we have got the Land Act that will help the people. Those who have got the land rights certificate from the council can avail various schemes from the government and the banks,” he said.
With regards the the Establishment, Management and Control of Markets (Second Amendment) Regulation Act 2021, that has got the Governor’s assent, Syiem said that now that the bill has become an act, the power lies with the EC to frame the rules.
“We have handed this task to the Executive Member in charge of Markets and the department to exercise her mind to bring about various clauses and rules in the act that will benefit the farmers including the buyers and consumers,” he said.
Separately, the EM in question, Grace Mary Kharpuri, said that the law will protect the interests of farmers under the council’s jurisdiction.
One clause in the act empowers the EC to set a minimum support price (MSP) that will help the farmers to a great extent.
Informing that the act also clearly states that non-tribals cannot trade in KHADC markets without a trading licence from the council, she said that a sub-committee will also track the problem of Benami trade.
She also said that in future, betting and liquor stores of both tribals and non-tribals will first have to obtain no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the EC while existing ones have to regularise their license and NOC.
