By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The three-day session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly announced by the State Government has evoked sharp criticism from NGOs and social activists, who have termed the duration as ‘too short’.
The three-day session, which begins on Wednesday, will have only one day allotted for private members.
The Shillong Times spoke to different NGOs and sought their response to the on the issue.
Mait Shaphrang Movement convener, Michael Syiem, said he was not satisfied with the short duration of the Assembly session as he felt that the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2011 alone would take two to three days for discussion since it is very important for the local indigenous people.
He also said that the MLAs could have analysed the successes and failures of the Congress-led coalition government if there were more working days.
“The session should have been at least two weeks long,” he added.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said, “This is an insult to the public and is not expected of representatives who should be more concerned of their electorates rather than insulting them with a three-day session.”
FKJGP working president Joe Marwein observed that the duration should have been longer since there were many issues to be discussed including large-scale influx. He added that the session should have been a week-long affair.
Activist Toki blah said, “As a citizen, I am disappointed with the short session of the Assembly since it is a place where legislators introduce bills for the people of the State.”
However, a Government official, who requested anonymity, said that the duration of the session was fixed with the approval of the Business Advisory Committee which includes the Opposition Leader and opposition members besides members of the ruling bench.
“The Opposition members should have objected to the short session when the matter came up for discussion before the Business Advisory Committee,” the official added.
It may be noteworthy that Opposition Leader Conrad Sangma has himself criticised the Government for the short duration of the Assembly.