Meghalaya Law Minister inaugurated JHADC court

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 7, 2021

Meghalaya Law Minister, James K Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated the new building of the District Council Court of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

The District Council Court was constructed at the cost of Rs 2.98 crore sanctioned by the 13^th Finance Commission 2012-13.

Inaugurating the district council court, James said that the inauguration of the building will help to strengthen District Council Court to expedite cases at the earliest. He added that under the Sixth Schedule the district council court has its own constitutional rights as mentioned in the Constitution under Article 244 and today’s inauguration will give a sense of public duty to move ahead to strengthen the dispensation of rights and justice.

Further, he added that the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India is a mini constitution covering the administration of the tribal areas of North East India that aims at granting some form of autonomy to the tribal’s so that they could be guided by their customary laws and practices and not to be pushed to conform to the modern system of governance where they might not be able to negotiate their own liberal political space and to grow according to their own genius.

Phasmon Dkhar (EM) incharge CWD, JHADC in his welcome address said that this day is a golden letter day to the people of Jaintia Hills as they have now the full-fledged District Council Court building. He recorded that though it took many years to complete the construction yet gives us immense joy.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Member JHADC Thombor Shiwat said under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the District council has three organs that consist of the District Council Court, Additional District Council Court and Subordinate District Council Court that also consist of the Village Court and justice have been dispensed in line with the traditional customary law.

He expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of India for the financial assistance under the 13^th Finance Commission for the construction of the District Council Court in Jowai and the Village Court of 19 Elaka’s.

Jowai Local MLA Wailadmiki Shylla, West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Garod LSN Dykes also spoke on the occasion.

MDCs of JHADCs, Dalloi’s from different Elaka’s, lawyers from East and West Jaiñtia Hills Bar Association and other dignitaries of the district were also present in the inauguration ceremony.