KHADC Budget Session
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The final day of the KHADC budget session is expected to witness a heated debate over the proposed Amendment of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, elector and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship) Bill, 2012 as members are taking a diverse stand on the issue.
The KHADC Executive Committee (EC) would like to see the proposed Amendment Bill passed without any major opposition. But there are indications that there would be stiff opposition from many of the members of the House who are upset with the fact that the proposed Amendment Bill was circulated at the last minute to serve the interest of one particular individual.
Mawlai UDP MDC Embhah Syiemlieh has questioned the EC for introducing the Amendment Bill in a hush-hush manner.
“As per the prescribed convention, the EC should put the proposed Amendment in circulation for a minimum of 30 days. We smell some foul play in bringing this Amendment in the last minute,” Syiemlieh said.
He however maintained that they are not opposing the idea of bringing an Amendment to the Act.
“I totally agree with the idea of bringing an amendment. But our main opposition is the way the EC is trying to bring the present amendment,” Mawlai UDP MDC pointed out.
Meanwhile, Jaiaw KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum has strongly opposed the proposed Amendment Bill.
He said that there was already an Amendment to the Act in 2008.
‘I am not in favour of the proposed Amendment Bill on the same Act for the second time. If they feel that there was something wrong in the Act they should have opposed it earlier,” Nongrum said.
Mawkyrwat HSPDP MDC Enbin K Raswai while admitting that the Amendment Bill should have been circulated earlier, said that there was nothing wrong with the Bill.
Raswai pointed out that if the traditional heads of other Hima are allowed to take part in active politics, the Myntri and other traditional heads under the Mylliem Syiemship should be allowed to do the same.
While citing an example of few senior politicians who are holding office in various Hima, he said that HSPDP supremo Hoping Stone Lyngdoh is the Lyngdoh of Hima Mawiang while Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh is the Lyngdoh of Hima Maharam.
“Personally I feel that this proposed Amendment Bill is a right step towards allowing the traditional heads under Mylliem Syiemship to take part in active politics,” the Mawkyrwat HSPDP MDC said.
He however made it clear that he has no stake on the proposed Amendment Bill.
