SHILLONG, OCT 14: Implementation of the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act is still incomplete, with the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) admitting that it has failed to set up the Tribunal mandated by the 2023 amendment.
The admission came from EM in-charge Law and Legal Matters Deity H Majaw during Question Hour in the Council session, in reply to Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne.
Majaw, in her written reply, asserted that the Executive Committee is implementing the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997 and Rules 2007 “in letter and spirit” to protect, preserve and promote the Khasi matrilineal system.
She, however, later conceded on the floor of the House that a crucial component – the Tribunal to hear lineage disputes – remains non-functional.
When Chyne asked if the Tribunal had been formed and who its members are, Majaw replied saying “Till date, we have not been able to constitute the Tribunal.”
Chyne termed the delay as serious, noting that the 2023 Act clearly provides for a Tribunal to deal with disputes pertaining to clans.
Majaw attributed the delay to high costs and stringent qualification requirements.
“The expenditure will be huge. The Tribunal will have many members and experts. We need at least an advocate with 10 years of experience. There are many hurdles. We are still deliberating and will discuss how to operationalize it,” she said.
On a separate supplementary by Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit regarding Shaw Bhoi, Majaw said the proposed amendment is stuck.
Khymdeit had pointed out that a committee meeting was held in early 2025 to amend provisions related to Shaw Bhoi within the Lineage Act.
Majaw responded that while the 2023 amendment had included Shaw Bhoi, elders from Ri-Bhoi have now demanded further amendments.
“We have formed a committee. We are awaiting expert opinions and names of members from Ri-Bhoi who know both the law and the custom of Shaw Bhoi. That is why it is still pending,” she said.
Earlier, Majaw informed that 113 Clans (Seng Kur) have come forward for registration since the 2023 amendment came into force.
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