Tura, April 18: Following a video by former MDC Sofior Rahman on Garo Hills Autonomous District Council’s (GHADC) recent notification on land tax (also referred to as kajina) collections and renewal of pattas (land documents), the National People’s Party (NPP), which heads the GHADC, has clarified that the council has not directed or refused to issue pattas, and its directive should not be misinterpreted.

“I’d like to clarify that the GHADC hasn’t directed or refused to issue pattas. The order dated March 11, 2025, clearly states that all pattas should be renewed or updated before kajina payments can be made. I urge the people of the plain belt to renew their pattas and subsequently pay their land revenues or taxes in the office,” clarified Andresh Ch. Marak, Secretary of NPP’s West Garo Hills District unit and In-charge of Minority Affairs and Plain Belt Areas.

He further stated that in Mouza VI and VII, non-tribal residents are legally allowed to buy and sell land among themselves, provided transactions are legitimate and involve local parties. “We respect everyone’s rights and don’t interfere with others’ affairs,” he affirmed.

The GHADC notification (Ref No. GHADC-REVMISC-III/1417/18 3768-3771, dated March 11, 2025) states: “All the Mouza Assistants/Revenue Collectors of Land and Revenue Department, GHADC, Tura, are hereby directed not to receive the payment of Land Revenue from those patta holders who did not renew their patta as mandated.”

Reacting to this notification, former GHADC MDC Sofior Rahman had on Thursday posted a video on his Facebook page, where he not only criticized the order, but claimed that the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act does not apply to Mouza VI and parts of Mouza VII as they are not part of A’king (tribal) land.

He also questioned GHADC for refusing to accept renewal payments. “If someone fails to renew their patta, there is a government process — you pay a late fee and get it done. But if the council refuses to accept even the renewal amount, what does that mean? Are you saying our pattas won’t be renewed anymore?” he questioned.

Rahman further claimed that GHADC may not have legal jurisdiction over these lands, pointing out that land pattas and revenue payments in the plain belt are based on a historical understanding between the founders of GHADC and the forefathers of the plain belt community, which allowed for representation in the council in exchange for administrative oversight.

In response to these claims, the NPP leader said that Rahman is clearly misinterpreting the GHADC notification, to take political advantage in view of the upcoming elections.

It may be noted that the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act is applicable throughout the State. The genuine non-tribal residents of the State can buy and sell land in European ward in Shillong; while in Garo Hills, they can do so in Mouza VI and parts of Mouza VII areas.

Rahman also criticized the GHADC for recently passing a bill that proposes to create separate electoral rolls for the Garo and non-Garo (plain belt) populations. He warned that the plain belt will cease to be part of the council if the bill receives the Governor’s assent. “If this bill is approved by the Governor, then GHADC has no authority left over the plain belt areas. We won’t need their pattas, and we won’t be paying revenue to them anymore,” he claimed.

In response to Rahman’s claims on the separate electoral roll, Andresh Ch. Marak stated that it has not yet received the Governor’s assent and thus remains pending. He urged Sofior Rahman not to misinterpret the order and mislead the public. He further urged him not to incite divisions between the Garo and Bengali communities, who have historically lived in harmony.

Also Read: Op-ed: Cross and the Constitution : The Silent Cry of Good Friday in Secular India

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub