Shillong, Sept 7: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) will convene a meeting with heads of 54 Himas to solicit views from them on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

The meeting will be held on September 13.

“We have decided to seek their views and suggestions and incorporate the same in the proposed draft memorandum to be submitted to both the Centre and state governments,” KHADC EM in-charge Elaka, Latiplang Kharkongor told reporters here on Thursday.

Earlier the KHADC had constituted a sub-committee comprising of representatives from traditional institutions and NGOs, for drafting a memorandum on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule.

Kharkongor said that the upcoming meeting would also discuss in depth on the annexed agreement (AA), Instrument of Accession (IOA) and the Standstill Agreement signed by the Union government with the erstwhile 25 Khasi states.

“Since they (chiefs) are signatories to the agreement; we need to get their views and come clear whether these agreements are still applicable or not,” Kharkongor said.

Stating that there is lack of special provision to protect the interest of the indigenous community, he said due to this, many Central acts were made applicable to the state of Meghalaya, even without the consent of the traditional institutions and district councils.

He said that the traditional heads should also have their share of seats in the proposed enhancement of seats in the autonomous district council from the present strength 30 to 40 seats.