SHILLONG: KHNAM Mawlai MDC, Process T Sawkmie has urged upon the Council to constitute a sub-committee to study on the possibilities of bringing an amendment of the Assam-Meghalaya Autonomous District Council Rules, 1951.
“It is really a shame that we have not been able to formulate our district rules even after so many years. Assam would be laughing at us if they came to know about this fact that the district council in Meghalaya are still depending on the rules which was formulated way back in 1951,” Sawkmie said while giving his address to congratulate HSPDP MDC Teilinia Dkhar on being elected as the first woman chairperson of the Council here on Thursday.
He urged upon all the members of the present house to accept the challenge of formulating their own district council rules.
“Let us set an example to other district councils in the State by formulating our own rules,” KHNAM MDC said.
Meanwhile, Sawkmie also urged the Council to consider that the oath taking ceremony of newly elected members to the KHADC in the future should be in Khasi and not in English as done earlier.
“The district council is an institution which is responsible to protect and preserve our traditional culture and practices. But it is really sad that we are still taking an oath in English. I hope we would be able to change this trend in 2019 where the newly elected MDCs would be able to take oath in Khasi,” he said.
He also suggested that this convention where the oath of the MDCs is being administered by the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has to be changed.
“If in the Assembly, the oath of the newly elected MLAs is being administered by a protem Speaker. I feel the same could be replicated in the KHADC by the appointment of a protem Chairman to administer the oath of the newly elected MDCs. We can appoint the senior most MDCs of this House as the protem Chairman,” the KHNAM MDC suggested.
Sawkmie also urged upon the Council to re-attach the three blocks (Mali I, Mali II and Mali III) of Mawlai Nongmali to Mawlai constituency.
“Majority of the people of the constituency are really upset that the delimitation exercise has kept these three blocks out of Mawlai constituency. I am confident that the Council would accept the plea of the people of Mawlai constituency,” he said.