SHILLONG : VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on Wednesday hit back at Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, calling him “ill-informed” over his allegation that the KHADC’s Land Amendment Bill dilutes the powers of traditional institutions.
On Tuesday, while responding to Basaiawmoit’s short-duration discussion on the VPP’s 10-point charter of demands, Sangma had challenged the party to “practice what you preach” and involve traditional institutions in its decisions.
Basaiawmoit said he was not given an opportunity to clarify the matter in the Assembly.
He said it was surprising that the Chief Minister was unaware of the actual provisions and developments within the KHADC.
According to Basaiawmoit, the amendment is aimed at protecting community land from rampant sale by making the land ceiling provision effective.
He explained that the provision could not be implemented because it required consultation with traditional heads before fixing the land ceiling. However, he said, the traditional heads did not come forward for discussions, leaving the council unable to wait indefinitely.
The VPP chief therefore defended the council’s decision to remove the consultation clause and fix the land ceiling itself.
He rejected the allegation that the VPP-led executive committee had taken away the powers or rights of traditional heads, saying the move was only intended to make the existing law workable.
Basaiawmoit also claimed that most Himas have now come forward to discuss the land ceiling fixed by the council and that the decision has received support from people in various villages.