SHILLONG: In a bid to streamline the clan administration in the Khasi Hills region, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District council (KHADC) has decided to come up with a list of tribal clans within the council’s jurisdiction.
The decision was made following a meeting with traditional heads and representatives of various clans on Monday and was attended by KHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM) PN Syiem.
The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that only clans listed by the council receive the Khasi tribe certificate required for obtaining the Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate.
Addressing the press, Syiem highlighted the importance of accurately identifying clans, including those that may have been forgotten or no longer exist.
“We feel that there is a need to have a list of tribal clans under the council’s jurisdiction so that the issuance of certificates will be done in a proper manner,” he said.
The council has also invited clans to submit their details for inclusion in the list, underscoring the significance of identifying those that may have been forgotten or no longer exist within the region.
Post the meeting, Leader of Opposition in KHADC, Titosstarwell Chyne, informed that discussions in the meet also addressed the Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner’s request for a comprehensive clan list.
Additionally, the meeting deliberated on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997, with various clans expressing support for the Act and recent notifications concerning the issuance of ST certificates.
The KHADC’s decision to draft the clan list comes five months after it passed the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in its December winter session.
This legislation marks a significant overhaul of clan administration, introducing stricter regulations and establishing a dedicated tribunal to resolve clan-related disputes, in consultation with legal and social custom experts to ensure fair and informed decisions.
