Shillong, Aug 4: Traditional institutions have urged Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar to withhold assent to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council’s Regulation and Administration of Land (Amendment) Bill 2026 and to direct the council to withdraw a recent notification on fixation of land ceiling in Raid land.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, representatives of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep said the amendment passed by the KHADC in its June 2026 session dilutes the role of the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima in land administration.
The memorandum cited the amendment to Section 16 of the Regulation and Administration of Land Act 2021. The original provision required the executive committee to fix a ceiling on settlement, allotment or setting apart of Raid land “after prior consultation with the respective Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and the Dorbar Hima.”
The amendment deletes this consultation requirement. The institutions said this takes away the authority of traditional bodies that have for generations acted as custodians of customary laws, community governance and land administration.
The traditional heads held a joint meeting in Shillong on July 7, attended by headmen, clan elders, locality representatives and civil society members. The meeting unanimously resolved to oppose the amendment bill, stating that it undermines institutions recognised under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and weakens grassroots democratic participation in Khasi society.
They argued that any measure weakening these bodies erodes constitutional safeguards meant for indigenous peoples of Meghalaya and marginalises the traditional decision-making process that governs land, social harmony and community welfare.
The memorandum listed several grounds for opposition. It said the bill goes against the spirit of the 2021 Principal Act, which codified the Khasi land tenure system, and against the customary system of Raid land. It also alleged violation of the principle of cooperative federalism, as the KHADC normally works with Dorbars on matters of custom and administration.
The traditional leaders further stated that the amendment erodes checks and balances and could make implementation of land ceiling at the grassroots level difficult, since Dorbars may distance themselves from enforcement.
Another key objection relates to an order issued by the KHADC executive committee on June 11 fixing the ceiling on community-owned (Raid) land.
The institutions said the notification was issued without prior consultation with Dorbars as mandated under Section 16 of the 2021 Act.
They pointed out that the notification also empowers the executive committee to approve proposals for settlement or allotment beyond the fixed ceiling, which they said contradicts the provision that any area in excess of the ceiling shall be illegal and void.
The traditional bodies clarified that they are not opposed to the concept of a land ceiling in Raid land. However, they stressed that any such fixation must be done only after meaningful consultation and consensus with recognised traditional institutions, and that the notification should be comprehensive and clear.
