‘Amendments needed to ensure equitable distribution of property’

Four organizations – HNYF, KSU, FKJGP and Maitshaphrang have urged the citizens to extend their full support the need to introduce some amendments to the Meghalaya Succession to Self Acquired Property (Khasi and Jaintia Special Provision) Act, 1986 to ensure equitable distribution of property.

“With this vision in mind we appeal to the Hynniewtrep people for their views and opinion, their cooperation and support in bringing about a legislation that is progressive and an asset to all the children of the family and their generations and with the talents and the resources available in our State, let us make our Meghalaya an economic powerhouse, the pride of India,” Convener of the Maitshaphrang Michael Syiem said in a statement issued today.

The matter was also discussed during a meeting organized by the four organizations with representatives of the seng Kur (Clan) on April 15.

Syiem said the whole world revolves around the economy and the stronger the economy the stronger the country, citing examples like the USA, Germany, China, and quite a few more. Even Israel which is not much bigger in size than Meghalaya and where 65% of its territory is desert, has a very strong economy and attempts by its far bigger neighbouring countries to ‘bring it to heel’ time and again had been countered successfully by Israel. Israel is now a major player not only in the Middle East.

He said if Meghalaya is to become a strong and a progressive State and able to protect its’ borders besides taking up other development activities, it has to develop its economy and the involvement and contribution of its indigenous population to strengthen this economic development is vital.

In the present situation where government jobs have reached a near saturation point, the only viable alternative is for the young people of the state to go into economic activity in a big way and for those who have the capital, it will have a multiplier effect creating more employment opportunities.

For this to happen, economic empowerment of all the children in the family of the Hynniewtrep community is a must to allow them to give collateral for availing of loans from the financial institution.

“Therefore, the need to amend the above 1986 Act to include the word ‘Equitable’ meaning ‘Fair and Just’ (not ‘Equal’ as some people mistakenly interpreted), and the word ‘Ancestral’ in the principal Act which will then read as, the Meghalaya Equitable Succession to Ancestral and Self Acquired Property (Khasi and Jaintia Special Provision) Act. Proposal to include the word ‘Gift’ was also made,” Syiem said.

“The word ‘Equitable’ gives the parents the flexibility to ‘Will’ out their property to their children, sons and daughters, to whom and how much, according to their wisdom. If in certain cases, the parents in their wisdom feel that the youngest daughter deserves the bulk or the entire share, this Law will allow them to do so by Will. In a family where there are no daughters only sons, the Will which gives the sons the right to the family property will prevent the Kur (Clan) from snatching away the property from them when their parents expire, which is usually the case because of the absence of this law,” he added.

The Maitshaphrang leader further recalled that in the year 1982 a group of ex KSU members, discussed the need for a law to give all children of the family a share of the family property.

“Accordingly together with some concerned friends and members of the Tribal United Front led by (L) Wifel Slong we drafted a Bill which was to be presented to the KHADC. This Bill was however taken up and passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and received the assent of the Governor on May 23, 1986 as The Meghalaya Succession to Self Acquired Property (Khasi and Jaintia Special Provision) Act, 1986 and published in the Gazette of Meghalaya, Extraordinary, dated June 3, 1986,” he said.

“However in this principal Act of 1986 it mentions only the Self Acquired Property of the parents that can be Willed out to their children, sons and daughters. But this Self Acquired property of the parents, in the next generation becomes Ancestral property to the children and it reverts back to the youngest daughter as per our present system of inheritance,” Syiem said while adding that “So therefore, we are demanding that only this part of the Ancestral property that is inherited from their parents and grandparents be allowed to be Willed out to anyone of their children and successive generations and not the Ancestral property that belongs to the Kur (Clan).”

Syiem said after more than 30 years of campaigning we are glad that more and more families are equitably distributing their properties to all their children, sons and daughters. But it must be emphasized here that there must be a law in place to strengthen and legalise this distribution of inheritance by way of a Will or by a Gift.

“We are facing challenging times from challenging forces and unless we economically empower all our children, sons and daughters whenever possible, our matrilineal society will not be able to withstand the onslaught facing us today and the years to come. The problem of influx which is mainly driven by availability of economic opportunities, will be checked to a great extent when more and more indigenous people of the state enter into economic activity, encouraged by this new legislation,” he added.

Roster system: Ampareen assures justice to every community

Spokesperson of Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government Ampareen Lyngdoh has assured that the government will come up with the best solution to ensure there is no ‘injustice’ done to any community while implementing the roster system in the state.

“We will come out with the best solution and we will ensure that solution is manifested in credible information,” Lyngdoh told reporters today.

“I appeal to the people of Meghalaya and political parties across the board to kindly allow us to collect data, to ensure data collected is credible and to ensure that in applying this roster there shall be no injustice done to any one community. We are Meghalayans and we must understand that the government is for the people of Meghalaya,” she added.

Also referring to the ongoing debates on the issue, the cabinet minister said, “I appeal to political parties to be confident that the government is taking all advisories, suggestions, being debated and we will evaluate those suggestions and we will incorporate and come out with a roster which is going to be acceptable, which is going to be justified and which is going to have credible source of data.”

Stating it is a very difficult situation, she said, “We are trying our best now to ensure that while debating and discussing this matter, we should not be seen as taking anyone’s side, we will try our best to present to the people the best solution.”

On the other hand, Lyngdoh also asserted the need for citizens of the state to ensure that a practice that was propagated since the inception of the state with its positives and negatives should not be discussed beyond logical debate while citing that reservation policy is a very unique application.

According to her, the government is also aware that the roster does in all likelihood create some sort of a sense of insecurity amongst communities that are enjoying this reservation in the state of Meghalaya.

Urging the people of the state not to underestimate the capacity of the government to evaluate what practice will benefit the state in the long run, the spokesperson said, “We have been actively engaging on understanding the roster as it was and how best can we take that forward protecting the interest of all communities who will gradually and definitely be affected by it.”

“I want to give an assurance to the people of the state that the government is engaging actively. We have been advised by various court orders to ensure that we have a systematic application of the reservation policy that will seem like a policy that is sensitive to citizens across the board. We will try our best to understand this system and to ensure that while applying it we should not seem as a government that is unjustly applying a system,” she said while adding “This order of the High Court is going to have positive application in the future. We must as a state adhere to justice for all. We must provide a fair playing ground for all communities and we will try our best to ensure that in its future application we apply the system in the best and most justified manner. We are procuring all datas from all line departments to understand how the roster has been applied in the state thus far and we will adhere to advisories that are going to be productive in the long run for the state and the citizens of Meghalaya.”

On the demand of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to review the state reservation policy, Lyngdoh said, “Again, I want to reiterate that toying with discussion and debate about the roster on public domain coming out with statements which can seem as bias is the incorrect practice forward.”

“It is not fair to give suggestions that may not be workable or doable. So we will not talk about any one political party but we appeal to all political parties that this is a very sensitive issue, we do not want to see it go out of hand,” she said while requesting all civil societies and NGO members to have faith in the government which will come out with the best solution.

State Reservation Policy: Blunder of 50 yrs cannot be solved in days

United Democratic Party leader and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh today said a solution to a blunder committed in regard to the state reservation policy for the past 50 years cannot come in a matter of five days.

“It is also a fact that a blunder was committed 50 years ago so how do you resolve that? It is more difficult because it is an issue that has been festering for half a century so a solution will not come in five days. A blunder that has been perpetuated for 50 years cannot be resolved in five days in five weeks or even five months but let it be resolved bit by bit,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

The West Shillong legislator said, “Why are you saying that it is not a blunder. There are a lot of errors in the entire policy. For instance, giving space of two-three years for a post to be filled up means you are undermining, and compromising the quality of the administration. Now if an office has to have 12 staff members and because you have to wait for two years it means that the office is running short of staff for 2-3 years – that itself is a blunder.”

Admitting the danger if the reservation policy is being challenged, he said, “It is (dangerous) as there are a lot of intricacies involved,” while cautioning everyone that “we should not end up shooting ourselves in our leg, let us not inflict self-wounds.”

On the implementation of the roster system, Lyngdoh, who is also a spokesperson of the MDA government, informed that the MDA is going to meet at the end of this week or early next week to discuss this matter.

“The matter is also coming up before the cabinet and an All-party meet is also being called. So at these different platforms, we will get an exchange of views and I am sure the best of views will come forward,” he asserted.

Referring to the concerns expressed if the roster system is implemented retrospectively, Lyngdoh said, “That is a very valid concern so accordingly I will put my views across in the Cabinet that if at all it has to be done it can be done only prospectively one, two you can take the matter up to the Supreme Court, three, the State Assembly has the option of legislation – so which of these options or which combination of these options will work best that is entirely up to the House and the Cabinet to decide.”

“Therefore, let it come up before the cabinet. Let a cabinet memo be prepared. I will study the memo and articulate my point of view in the cabinet but first let the cabinet memo be put up,” he stated.

On the other hand, Lyngdoh reminded that the UDP had in fact listed as number one on its manifesto a change of the reservation policy and said, “We fielded 46 candidates and only 11 of us won. Even if you only think of the Khasi-Jaintia sector, we won 11 out of 36, minus the 10 we fielded in the Garo Hills, so it means that the majority of the constituencies are not interested in any change of the reservation policy.”

He said it also means that 25 constituencies did not favour a change of the reservation policy adding “Even if you combine UDP 11 plus VPP 4 that will still make it 15 and 15 out of 36 is still not a majority.”

KSU wishes state’s athletes

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today extended its best wishes to four local youths, who will be participating in the World Pankration Championship to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Lozenza Songthiang, Francis RR Songthiang, Kyrshanbor R Songthiang and Nongkitboklang Songthiang will be leaving for Uzbekistan on April 30, to represent India in the world championship.

Leaders of KSU also met and wished all four success in the championship. This was informed by KSU publicity secretary Pynshai Rani in a statement issued here.

Committed to maintain religious harmony: VHP

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday reiterated its commitment to maintaining religious harmony in the state at all times.

This came a day after the Khasi Students’ Union asked the district administration of East Khasi Hills to take appropriate action against the VHP for alleged provocative acts by organizing a rally that has disturbed religious harmony in the society.

In a statement, the VHP said the organization celebrated Ram Janam Utsav in Shillong from March 30 and 31, April 1 and was followed by Shobha Yatra (procession) on April 2.

“The fact is that VHP carries out this procession every year and the Hindu devotees have participated enthusiastically. The programme was conducted in an orderly manner with full support from district administration, superintendent of police and traffic personnel who escorted the yatra for peaceful completion before the scheduled time,” it said.

“VHP respects the sentiments of all religions and has high respect for the indigenous people of our state. A customary slogan like “Jai Shree Ram” was made by the devotees. It is clarified that apart from “Jai Shree Ram” which is meant to hail Lord Rama, no provocative slogan was used during shobha yatra,” the VHP said while assuring that the organization is committed to maintaining religious harmony in the state at all times.

The VHP also referred to a report alleging that the Hanuman Jayanti rally scheduled for April 7, was called off by VHP as factually incorrect. The rally was not organised by VHP, it said.