Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Revives Review Process for Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill

More than three years after it was introduced, the Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill, 2021, remains under examination, with the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) moving to revive the review process during its Summer Session on Wednesday. The proposed legislation seeks to change inheritance practices among the Khasi community by providing for the sharing of ancestral property among all children. At present, Khasi customary law largely places responsibility for family property with the Khadduh, or youngest daughter, making the Bill one of the most widely discussed proposals relating to traditional inheritance norms in recent years. The move to revive the review process came after members approved the reconstitution of the Select Committee tasked with examining the Bill. Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh will head the committee following the resignation of former Chief Executive Member Shemborlang Rynjah. According to information placed before the House, the panel had remained inactive after Rynjah’s exit, delaying further examination of the proposed legislation. Despite being introduced in 2021, the Bill remains pending before the Council. The Council has nominated Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne, Executive Member in-charge of Law Deity M Majaw, Nongskhen MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri and Executive Member Denzil R Chen to serve on the committee. The committee will examine the provisions of the Bill and submit its findings and recommendations to the KHADC for further consideration.