The direction was made recently on the basis of a representation made by the an association of the traditional tribal chiefs, the Federation of Khasi states, way back in 2010.
"We have received a representation from John F Kharshiing, adviser and spokesperson of the Federation of Khasi States on the subject for appropriate action in the matter under intimation to the representationist," B Ram, Research Officer of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, said.
The spokesperson of the Khasi states had told the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes that a "constitutional anomaly" has adversely affected the customary rights of land, forest, water, revenue and mineral resources of the tribals in Meghalaya.
"The union government had accepted the treaty of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement of 1947 signed between the Khasi states on August 17, 1948. However, because of the non-inclusion of this agreement by incorporating it in the Constitution, complication has arisen in various aspects in the customary laws in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya," Kharshiing said.
With the state coming within the ambit of the 6th Schedule to the Constitution, Meghalaya does not have a panchayati system. The traditional bodies function like panchayats in the state.
In the representation to the Commission, Kharshiing explained the nuances of traditional Khasi democracy even as he demanded for due cognisance to the traditional heads and grassroots organisations like the Dorbar and Rangbah Shnong was aimed at preserving the customary laws of the tribals in Meghalaya.
