SHILLONG, Feb 19: KHADC Executive Member (EM) in charge of the Land Department, Powell Sohkhlet, on Thursday clarified that Dorbar Shnongs are required to obtain prior approval from the Council under the KHADC Land Act before allotting land to the government or its departments. Replying to a query during the Question Hour on the second day of the Council's budget session, Sohkhlet stated that such allotments cannot be made independently. The issue was raised by Laban-Mawprem MDC Ricky Shullai, who questioned whether local headmen or village councils have the authority to allocate land without the Council's consent. Sohkhlet admitted that the Council has received complaints regarding non-compliance, noting that some Dorbar Shnongs had allotted 'raid' (communal) land without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the KHADC. While informing the House that the Act currently lacks specific provisions for penalizing those who bypass this requirement, Sohkhlet said the Council has sought clarifications from the concerned Dorbar Shnongs for failing to adhere to the law.