Shillong, May 29: Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan today gave his assent to an ordinance to provide legal recognition to the functions of traditional institutions in the state.

Following the approval, the Meghalaya Local Administration (Empowerment of Traditional Institutions, Traditional Bodies and Headmen in Governance and Public Delivery System) Ordinance, 2015 was notified in the gazette. The traditional instituitions include Syiem, Lyngdoh, Sirdar, Wahadar, Doloi, Rangbah Shnong in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and King Nokma in the Garo hills.

In a nutshell, the ordinance empowers traditional institutions to issue certificates to the residents of a village or locality within their respective jurisdictions. The certificates relate to proof of residence, life certificate of pensioners, no-objection certificate for running a hotel or guesthouse in the locality and any other matter to be notified by the government.

Moreover, the ordinance provides protection on action taken under it as no suit or legal proceeding would lie against the headmen or traditional institutions in the discharge of functions in adherence with the ordinance.

The notification of the ordinance comes a day before the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is scheduled to meet in a "special session" to amend the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Village Administration Bill, 2014.

The governor today summoned the council to meet tomorrow. At the meeting, the members are expected to amend the bill, which seeks to empower traditional institutions and their functionaries in the Khasi hills. Former KHADC chief executive member Adelbert Nongrum has been fasting at Kiang Nangbah Memorial since May 16 to press for clearance of the village administration bill.

Earlier this week, the state government had agreed "in principle" to ensure smooth passage of the village administration bill and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District (Establishment of Elaka and Village, Election, Appointment, Powers, Functions and Jurisdiction of Doloi, Sirdar and Waheh Shnong) Bill, 2015. It had wanted certain amendments to be made in the two bills before they could be approved by the governor.

The ordinance also came a day before a grand council, or Dorbar Bah Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, is scheduled to meet at Polo ground. It is expected to draw crowds from all over the Khasi-Jaintia hills to discuss empowerment of traditional institutions.