SHILLONG: In a decisive step to protect the territorial heritage of the Khasi Hills, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has clarified the true purpose of its recent amendment to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act 2021.
According to Land Department Executive Member Powell Sohklet, the controversial Section 16 “Ceiling Fix” is not about consolidating authority, but rather about urgently shielding indigenous land rights from wealthy land monopolists.
The heart of the amendment lies in establishing a robust “Land Bank”—an initiative shaped through extensive consultation with traditional institutions such as the Hima, Syiems, Myntri, Raid, and various village authorities.
This Land Bank aims to reserve and distribute essential land parcels for housing and agriculture to Khasi families who currently own none. The original process, however, required individual consultations with every Hima, Raid, and village, which bogged down implementation. While bureaucratic delays mounted, affluent buyers rapidly acquired large expanses of public land. By removing the mandatory consultation clause, the Council is now fast-tracking land ceiling enforcement to prevent further exploitation and preserve land for the indigenous community.
The Council emphasizes that this is not an authoritarian move; it remains committed to open dialogue with traditional authorities. The new amendment introduces strict, uniform limits on private land allocations to ensure balanced regional growth. These are as follows:
Home stays: 2 acres
Animal husbandry/fisheries: 3 acres
Industrial/hospitality ventures (factories, resorts, hotels): 4 acres each
Community infrastructure (vocational institutions, healthcare, sports grounds, religious institutions, commercial use): 5 acres each
Schools: 8 acres
Colleges: 10 acres
Universities: 15 acres
Agriculture: 10 acres
Horticulture: 12 acres
Crucially, the amendment upholds the autonomy of traditional governance: Hima and village authorities can impose even stricter caps within their jurisdictions. Conversely, any private project seeking to exceed these limits must obtain a No Objection Certificate from the District Council. The only exceptions are for public development projects led by the State Government, Central Government, or KHADC itself.
KHADC stresses that the traditional powers of the Hima, Raid, and village heads remain fully intact. The Council does not control land distribution, lease tenures, or agreements—those powers rest with local leaders. The Council’s sole role is to set reasonable maximum allotments, establishing a protective boundary to secure land for future generations and prevent the depletion of communal wealth.
(4FrontMedia news)
