By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Pynshngain Syiem on Tuesday said Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Council Rules), 1951 is silent regarding functions of nominated members.
The discussion on the status of nominated members was initiated by Sohra MDC of the UDP, Titos Chyne who asked whether a nominated member was eligible to contest the election for the post of the CEM and Chairman of the Council.
The CEM pointed out that there were instances in the past when a nominated member was elected to the post of CEM. There were also occasions where a nominated member was appointed as an Executive Member of the Council, Syiem said.
He also said that the rules were silent on voting rights of nominated members in any election conducted in the Council. The CEM was of the opinion that unless there was an amendment to the Rules, there should not be any attempt to disturb the existing status of the nominated members of the Council.
Participating in the debate, Mawkyrwat MDC of the HSPDP, Enbin K Raswai mentioned that the Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court had passed a ruling in 2007 on the status of the nominated MDC in the Council.
“The Court in its judgment was of the view that the nominated MDC should not have a decisive role in the House of the Council. The ruling of the Court is very clear that the nominated member should not be allowed any responsible assignment in the Council. We need to understand that nominated members are appointed by the Governor and not by the people,” Raswai said. Raswai also pointed out, the court in its judgement was very clear that the nominated member would not have any voting right in elections held in the House of the Council. He called upon the KHADC Executive Committee (EC) not to undermine the ruling of the High Court regarding status of nominated members.
EC flayed: The KHADC Executive Committee (EC) on Tuesday was criticised for its failure to remove the mobile towers which were erected at the Shillong Peak, Upper Shillong. Participating in the discussion, the Jaiaw MDC Adelbert Nongrum (KHADC) said, “it is really shocking to see the EC’s inability to remove the towers despite making a commitment before House in the previous session of the Council”. He said, “the erection of the mobile towers will demean the tradition, rituals and secrecy of the Khasi community who consider the peak as a sacred place. The erection of the towers would also destroy the sanctity of the place and affect the religious sentiment of the indigenous people.” He was further annoyed when the EC replied that they were unaware about the mobile towers.
“I failed to understand how can a company erect a mobile tower without the permission of the Council,” KHNAM MDC said. In reply, Executive Member in charge Trade Antonio War said the company has sought more time for removing of the mobile towers at Shillong Peak while adding that the company had sought for time directly from the Lyngdoh Raid Mynrei who are the land owners. “As per our knowledge, the land owner has given ten months time to the company to remove the tower,” War said.