Traditional Institutions of Meghalaya at the Crossroads in India

The Traditional institutions in Meghalaya are at crossroads today. In other words, the traditional local self-governance institutions of Meghalaya are facing numerous problems for functioning as institutions of ushering in development and progress at the grassroots in the present context. Palpable crises are looming large in front of these entities putting them apparently at a defining moment in a crossroad being at a loss. This juncture is very difficult since it entails in depth understanding and tough decisions by addressing the long-established traditional sensibility on one hand and a seemingly pragmatic code of governance on the other. The District Councils of Khasi, Jaintia and Garos tribes of Meghalaya appear to be functioning in conformity with any other local self government of the country. The discourse in the book presents the detailed analysis of the issues concerned for better clarifications. The study puts forward numerous recommendations to make the District Council a true representative of local self government by resolving the conflicts with the grass root level traditional institutions as well as addressing the discontentment of those functionaries.