Opp MDCs stage walkout
SHILLONG: Opposition MDCs in the KHADC on Tuesday staged a walkout to oppose the attempt of the Executive Committee (EC) to forcefully pass various amendment bills without seeking the views of the concerned stakeholders including the Hima before tabling the same on the floor of the House on the final day of the Council’s session.
The Opposition accused the EC of acting in a dictatorial manner by trying to suppress the opinion of the Hima during the formulation of the various amendment bills.
During deliberations on the issue, there was an exchange of heated arguments between Opposition leader Pynshgnain N Syiem (Congress) and KHADC CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.
The Opposition leader argued that it was necessary for the Executive Committee to seek the views and opinions of the Hima before tabling the bill in the House.
The KHADC CEM, however, claimed that as per the conduct of business in the House, a member is not allowed to hold any kind of discussion on the bill if he has not brought the amendment motion.
With both Basaiawmoit and Syiem raising their voices, KHADC Chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew was forced to intervene.
did not pay any heed to the suggestions given by the Hima.
While quoting Rule 78 (b) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Council) Rules, 1951, Syiem said that once a Bill is introduced in the House it can be referred to the Select Committee.
He also asserted that the Opposition would not allow the present EC to alter the customary practices and traditions of the local indigenous population on the pretext of adapting to the changes in modern society.
“The basic role of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) is to uphold the customary practices and traditions. We are not here to contradict the role of the ADCs as mandated by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India,” the Opposition leader said.
He also informed that the Opposition would submit petitions to both Governor K.K. Paul and the District Council Affairs department in this regard.
Defending the EC’s stand, KHADC CEM Basaiawmoit said the EC has brought the various amendment bills with the intention of regulating and streamlining the functioning of the various Hima.
“It is misleading to say that the EC has tried to bulldoze the stakeholder by not taking the views of the Hima while formulating the various amendment bills. We have carried out the exercise as mandated by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,” he said.
While quoting Rule 88 (i) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Council) Rules, 1951, Basaiawmoit said that this rule clearly states: “if notice of a proposed amendment has not been sent to the Secretary three clear days before the meeting of the District Council at which the Bill is to be considered, any member may object to the moving of the amendment, and such objection shall prevail, unless the Chairman, in his discretion allows the amendment to be moved.”
While pointing out that the Opposition MDCs do not have any valid arguments to oppose the passage of the amendment bills, the CEM said that it was for this very reason that they had not moved the amendment motion.
“The Opposition has come with a negative intention of disrupting the proceeding of the House,” Basaiawmoit added.
It may be note that on Thursday last, the Opposition MDCs had staged a walkout to protest against the introduction of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination and Election of the Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Myntri, Basan and Rangbah Shnong of Bhowal Syiemship) First Amendment Bill, 2014.
The Chairperson even threatened to withdraw the members after the Opposition refused to listen to her.
She made it clear that she would not allow any discussion on the matter and the opposition MDCs could only give their suggestion on the amendment bills.
Following this ruling of the Chairperson, the Opposition MDCs staged a walkout while criticizing the EC.
“We have purposely not brought any amendment motion against the bills since we are fully aware that the EC has already decided to pass these bills at any cost. An amendment motion against the various bills would be a futile exercise since we understand that the EC would not give any weightage to our views and suggestion,” Syiem told newsmen after the end of the session.
He said that the KHADC has been following a convention that any important bill will always be referred to the Advisory Committee on Khasi Customary Laws.
The opinion of the Hima concerned and the various stakeholders are also taken into consideration on any amendment bill before tabling it in the House, Syiem said, adding that this time the EC has broken the convention which was being followed for decades.
“The present EC at its own level finalized the bill. This reflects the autocratic rule of the present EC,” Syiem stated.
He also said that the Opposition had hoped that the Executive Member in charge Elaka, K.P. Pangniang would refer the matter to the Select Committee to allow MDCs, legal experts, members of the Hima and other stakeholder to dwell at length on the various provisions of the various amendment bills, but the CEM