An MDC should be minimum Class XII pass, says Bindo Lanon
SHILLONG: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has said that he would step down immediately if there is any law which bars him to occupy the dual posts of MLA and MDC even as former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong has indicated holding of dual posts undesirable.
“There is no law which bars him from holding the post of an MLA along with MDC,” Basaiawmoit said on Tuesday.
“Personally, I am of the view that there should not be any a problem if a person is able to serve the people both as an MLA and MDC as mandated,” KHADC CEM said.
Basaiawmoit said that he was force by the people of the constituency to contest the MDC election.
The State Governor KK Paul recently received a petition from the Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO), which submitted a list of dual-post holders, who have been elected members of the Assembly as well as members of autonomous district councils.
According to KHADC CEM, the KHADC rule referred by the NGO mentioned about government servants and not public representatives.
“This issue should have been raised before the elections,” she added.
On the other hand, Lanong said sharing of responsibility is good while serving people, indicating that dual posts are not desirable. There are eight representatives in Khasi-Jaintia Hills who are holding the post of MLAs as well as MDCs at the same time.
Moreover, in Garo Hills, there are two legislators Brigady Marak and Cherak Momin who are also MDCs.
Lanong, said, “In certain constituencies, people want the one representative to hold both the positions since they don’t get a right representative.”
However, according to Lanong, by and large it is good if representatives share their responsibilities while serving people.
“I had never held two positions at the same time,” he said.
In an addition to the issue of MLA-MDC dual posts, Lanong advocated the need for having better educational qualification of MDCs.
Lanong also said that the qualification of an MLA or an MDC is also a matter of great importance since all the laws and motions are written in English, while the MDCs only speak in Khasi during the sitting of the House.
“It is very wrong to say that a person who knows Khasi language can become an MDC, but a person should be educated which will enable him to perform better,” he said.
Lanong also said that a person must be at least Class XII pass for becoming an MDC