Assam minister lays foundation stone for Khasi-Jaintia Development Council
Guwahati, Dec 1: The original Khasi-Jaintia inhabitants of Barak Valley in Assam have got a major recognition in the state as Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu on Monday laid the foundation stone for Khasi–Jaintia Development Council (KJDC) at New Tibongcherra Khasi Punjee along the East–West Corridor national highway.
This has been considered as a milestone for the Khasi-Jaintia communities, who inhabit a substantial number of villages across the Barak Valley.
KJDC is expected to focus on improving socio-economic conditions, protecting indigenous rights, and accelerating development initiatives exclusively meant for tribal groups.
Minister Kaushik Rai and leaders of Barak Valley Khasi-Jaintia Welfare Organisation were present during the foundation event.
Pegu later visited the residence of Sebastian Pakyntein, Chairman of the newly formed council, at Kasukhal village. There, he interacted with headmen from nearly 30 Khasi and Jaintia villages, listening to concerns primarily related to land rights, including forest rights.
He assured community leaders that the government is committed to ensuring the effective implementation of Mission Basundhara and the Forest Rights Act, 2006, to address longstanding issues around land ownership and tribal entitlements.
The visit concluded with a traditional Khasi lunch, underscoring the minister’s outreach efforts and the government’s emphasis on building trust with indigenous communities as the KJDC prepares to begin its work in the region.
