By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Following opposition from majority of the members, the KHADC Executive Committee (EC) was forced to refer 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 to the Select Committee during the concluding day of the budget session here on Tuesday.
“After listening to views of the members, I think it is appropriate to refer the matter to the Select Committee,” KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N Syiem said while replying to the Amendment Motion moved by Nongthymmai UDP MDC Latiplang Kharkongor in opposition to the proposed Amendment Bill. “I personally feel that it would be appropriate if we can further polish the Bill,” Syiem added.
Earlier, moving the Amendment Motion, Kharkongor said that he strongly opposes the move of passing the proposed Amendment Bill in the present form.
While emphasizing on the need to study the Bill in details, the Nongthymmai UDP MDC suggested that the Amendment Bill should be referred to the Select Committee to pluck out the various deficiencies and lacunae.
Supporting the Amendment Motion, Mawlai UDP MDC Embhah Syiemlieh expressed surprise over the EC’s decision to introduce the Bill all of a sudden in the floor of the House. While maintaining that he does not oppose the amendment of the Act, Syiemlieh said that his main bone of contention was the hurried way in which the Bill was introduced. ‘I do not think it is a matter of life and death for Mylliem Syiemship which prompted the EC to hurriedly pass the bill,” he said. Sohra UDP MDC Titos Chyne too expressed his surprise to see the EC is in a rush to pass the Amendment Bill.
Jaiaw KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum reiterated his stand stating that there was already an amendment to the Act in 2008 and hence no real need of a fresh one.