Shillong, Aug 27: KHADC chief executive member, Hispreaching Son Shylla said that the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Bill will be one of the ways to prevent the indigenous people from getting affected by HIV/AIDs.

Stating that the state government had returned the first and second amendment Bills on Monday, Shylla said that as per report, truck drivers and migrant labourers from outside the state are the main carrier of this disease (HIV/AIDS).

“Therefore, this Bill would also be one of the ways to protect and prevent the indigenous people from getting infected with HIV/AIDS,” he said.

The Bill passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on July 25, seeks to strip off the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status of Khasi women who marries non-Khasi men and their offsprings.

According to the KHADC chief,  the Council do not recognize transgenders.

Meanwhile, the KHADC chief informed that the meeting of the Consultative Committee constituted to study and submit recommendations for amendment of the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997 will be held on Tuesday.

“The state government has returned the Bills on Monday as requested by us. We appreciate the step taken by the state government as it reflects the good relationship between the state government and the KHADC,” he said.

To a question, Shylla said that the first amendment will be done away with since the Council is contemplating to come up with a Bill relating to the Dorbar clan and appointment of clan elders.

According to him, the committee is expected not to take much time since there are only technical matters which need to be corrected in the Bill.

The consultative committee will be headed by former KHADC chief Manstudy Nongrem, Adviser to the CEM Allantry F Dkhar as vice chairman and A Shangpliang, OSD as member secretary.

As per the terms of reference mentioned in the order issued by the executive committee on August 10, the consultative committee has been asked to make an indepth study of the provisions of the KHAD (Khasi Social Custome of Lineage) Act, 1997.

The committee will also make consultations with other experts as and when required which includes traditional heads, social and women organization.

It will also make recommendations for amendment of the Act 1997, after indepth study and to study the linkages of the said with other Acts of the Council.