To give land rights to Meghalaya men in Matrisutre
In Khasis, ancestral property traditionally passes to the youngest daughter
The matrilineal Meghalayan is set to break the parental tradition by handing over the lion’s share of the parents’ property to the khatduh, which in the Khasi language means the youngest daughter.
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is about to introduce the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Khasi Inheritance of Property Bill, 2021 for equitable distribution of ancestral property among siblings, both male and female. It will be introduced during the autumn session of the council on November 8.
KHADC chief executive member Titostarvel Chine said the bill would enable equitable distribution of property among heirs regardless of gender.
“We have no law for equitable distribution of family property if the siblings are all men or where there are no children. Problems have arisen in the absence of such a law,” he said.
Mr. Chin cited some cases where clans have claimed properties in the absence of a real heir. He said that there are also cases where elder siblings have dragged their parents and youngest sister to the court to claim their share.
If the parents are sisters taking care of the parents, it is not fair to give the youngest daughter the full share of the property, Mr. Chin said. He said ensuring the share of ancestral property would also help Khasi men to apply for bank loans.
“Besides ensuring that every sibling is not deprived of his or her share, the Bill provides for denial of his or her share of property to any ward who marries a non-tribal and returns to his or her husband or accepts the wife’s culture and tradition,” Mr. Chin said.
To give land rights to Meghalaya men in Matrisutre
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