New Bill to enable siblings inherit parents’ wealth: KHADC

The proposed bill, to be introduced during the reassembled Autumn Session on November 8, seeks to change the age-old Khasi tradition of the youngest daughter getting the full share of the parents’ property, informed KHADC chief executive member Titosstarwell Chyne on October 25.
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SHILLONG: 

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is all set to introduce the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill, 2021 that will enable all siblings, both males and females, to get equal share of the parents’ property.

The proposed bill, to be introduced during the reassembled Autumn Session on November 8, seeks to change the age-old Khasi tradition of the youngest daughter getting the full share of the parents’ property, informed KHADC chief executive member Titosstarwell Chyne after chairing a meeting of the executive committee on October 25.

“The Bill seeks to codify and make provision for regulation and administration in the inheritance of property amongst the Khasi in consonance with the prevailing practice of the Khasi in Khasi Hills,” he added.

Chyne informed there are also instances where elder siblings are filing cases against the youngest daughter over property issues.
“Therefore, we have decided to come up with this Bill. We want to ensure equal distribution of property among the siblings both sons and daughters instead of only the youngest daughter,” he said.

“However, we have inserted a provision that it all depends on the will of the parents as to whom they want to handover their properties,” Chyne added.

According to him, as of now there is no law to regulate the inheritance of property in the indigenous society.

“We have no law to address issues concerning tribal parents who have only sons, parents without children or ‘Iapduh’ who do not have anyone. This has led to many disputes among families of different clans,” he said.
When asked, Chyne admitted that the Bill will empower the indigenous people especially the Khasi men economically.
 
Meanwhile, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) also approved the KHAD (Village and Town Development Council) Bill, 2021 on Monday.
 
Chyne said that the objective of the Bill is to constitute a development council to ensure full implementation of the various developmental activities in villages across the Khasi Hills region. He further added that the Bill will be introduced on November 8.

He said the development council will be headed by the headman. However, there will be an election to elect the other office bearers including vice chairman, secretary and treasurer of the council, Chyne added.

According to him, the term of the council will be for five years. He said the development council will be constituted in each and every village of Khasi Hills region.

The KHADC CEM further informed that there will also be district planning committee and local area committee where MDCs will be the chairmen besides audit to ensure proper development in the different villages across the region.

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