Cabinet okays ordinance to empower traditional village bodies

The Meghalaya cabinet today approved an ordinance to empower traditional village bodies in the absence of a legislative measure following the High Court ruling which had struck down powers of the village chiefs.
"The cabinet has deliberated upon the details of the proposal to give effect to this ordinance, with the spirit of empowering the traditional institutions/ bodies and headmen in day to day administration and public delivery system," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the meeting.
"The proposed legislative measure through ordinance is specific for ensuring their (traditional institutions) involvement in day to day administration and public delivery system with respect to development programmes of the government in the best interest of the people and the state," he said.

The Meghalaya Local Administration (Empowerment of Traditional Institutions, Traditional Bodies, Headmen in Governance and Public Delivery System) Ordinance, 2015 will be sent to the Governor K N Tripathi for approval.
The ordinance was necessitated after the Meghalaya High Court had on December 10 last year directed the government not to entertain NOCs or certificates issued by the traditional heads until and unless they are empowered by rule or law.