Shillong, Jan 29: Rather than protecting business of indigenous tribals, political parties holding reins of KHADC have so far been using the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954 to generate revenue only, alleged the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) ahead of the ADC elections in Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
“Objective of the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954 is to protect the trade and commerce of the tribal people but sadly in the past 73 years, political parties that came to power in KHADC have not used it as a protection, rather as a counter to generate revenue (by issuing rampant trading license to people from outside the state),” KHNAM working president Thomas Passah told reporters on Wednesday.
He was accompanying the party’s three candidates for KHADC – Pynshai Mawrie from Mawkynrew, Ericton Swer from Nongthymmai and Raymond Basaiawmoit from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah – on the third day of filing of nomination papers for autonomous district council (ADC) elections scheduled for February 21.
If voted to power, KHNAM will amend provisions of the Regulation to make it more effective to protect the livelihood of tribal people by reducing or restricting trading license to non-indigenous people, he said.
The KHNAM leader also lamented that the state government is yet to have any such kind of regulation to protect the businesses of indigenous tribal people.
Passah also assured of overhauling Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) as, he alleged, parties running it have failed to fulfil the mandate of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
“KHADC has totally failed in its duty as empowered by the Sixth Schedule, which is a protection wall for the indigenous people. If this protection wall collapses, danger awaits the entire indigenous community,” he warned.
“We want a new KHADC that can really protect the land as per provisions of the Sixth Schedule, to protect trade and commerce as per the Regulation, and to protect and empower the traditional institutions,” Passah said.
Ericton Swer said, “We are firm in our stand to protect the indigenous people. The party will come up with its manifesto in the coming days.”
Raymond Basaiawmoit said his objective of contesting election is to further strengthen the Sixth Schedule in the KHADC.
