SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday criticised the Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) over its approach to community consultation in land matters, urging it to involve traditional institutions in its land laws.
Replying to a short-duration discussion moved by VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Sangma said the state government had always followed established procedures and maintained a balance in land-related matters.
Sangma agreed that community consultation was essential for decisions involving land but said the principle was not being followed by the KHADC.
Referring to the KHADC Regulation and Registration of Land (Amendment) Bill, 2026, he said the proposed amendment sought to remove a provision requiring prior consultation with Dorbar Shnongs, Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Hima.
Sangma described the move as “quite unfortunate”, saying it contradicted the argument that communities should be involved in land-related decisions.
He said traditional institutions such as the Rangbah Shnongs, Raid and Hima had historically served as checks and balances within the traditional system.
The Chief Minister urged the KHADC to “practise what you preach” by involving traditional institutions and ensuring that communities were not excluded from the decision-making process.
He reiterated that the state government supported community participation in land matters and called on the council to uphold the same principle.
