Guwahati: A memorandum seeking rejection of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was submitted to Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on Tuesday by two prominent Khasi traditional bodies, which argued that the proposed legislation would curtail the powers of customary institutions over community land.
The joint representation was submitted by the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SKNSBH) and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SKRK).
Besides opposing the Bill, the organisations also requested the Governor to revoke a June 11 notification issued by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) that introduced land ceilings for Raid land.
After meeting the Governor, SKRK spokesperson R.L. Blah told reporters that the organisations decided to approach him because the Bill had already been forwarded for assent. He said they were hopeful that customary institutions, indigenous land rights and Meghalaya’s matrilineal system would receive due protection.
According to the organisations, the main objection centres on the omission of Section 16 from the 2021 Act. Under the existing provision, the KHADC must consult the Dorbar Shnong, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima before fixing any ceiling on the settlement, allotment or reservation of Raid land.
They argued that removing this requirement would significantly reduce the role of traditional institutions in matters relating to community land.
Blah said the organisations support digitisation of land records and do not object to the concept of land ceilings. However, he said they cannot accept the exclusion of institutions that have traditionally administered customary law and indigenous land tenure.
The organisations further alleged that the June 11 notification was issued without complying with the consultation requirement under Section 16. They also claimed the notification contains unclear provisions that could create implementation issues.
According to them, sidelining grassroots institutions would weaken local oversight, create administrative complications and run contrary to the principles of the Sixth Schedule.
They also recalled that separate memoranda had earlier been submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong over the same issue.
Blah said the Governor advised the delegations to continue engaging with the state government and indicated that the District Council Affairs Department’s views would be considered before any decision is taken.
The KHADC has defended the amendment as a measure to improve land administration, whereas the traditional bodies contend that it undermines the authority of long-established Khasi customary institutions.