Sixth schedule amendment: ‘Almost all suggestions’ by Meghalaya tribal body incorporated

Ninety nine percent of the suggestion put in by the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights on the amendment of the sixth schedule has been accepted and incorporated. This was informed

Ninety nine percent of the suggestion put in by the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights on the amendment of the sixth schedule has been accepted and incorporated.

This was informed by a member of the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights, RL Blah on Monday soon after meeting the Chief Minister at his chamber.

It may be mentioned that the Union ministry of home affairs had held a discussion with the Meghalaya government, autonomous district councils and stakeholders on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution on May 25 this year.

Meghalaya Indigenous Tribal Constitutional Rights is a conglomeration of 15 NGOs from Khasi Jaintia and Garo Hills and they had on May 25 submitted a memorandum to the joint secretary that the draft bill proposed to amend the Sixth Schedule; there were some sections that would affect the tribals especially a section which talked about the need for each Autonomous District Council to establish village councils for villages in rural areas and municipal councils for urban areas or an agglomeration of such urban areas.

In the memorandum the NGOs said that they would not accept such section since village council does not exist in Meghalaya.

In Khasi and Jaintia hills, there is a Dorbar Shnongs, headed by a Rangbah Shnong or headman and in Garo hills, village administration is looked after by a Nokma or headman.

Meanwhile, Northeast Students Organisation chairman, Samuel Jyrwa said that the Chief Minister informed that all of their suggestions and concerns are being addressed by the Home ministry and that they pleased with the response.

GSU president Tengsak Momin was also on the same page and echoed similar sentiments.

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