SHILLONG: Governor KK Paul’s principal secretary MS Rao has said that the approval of the governor for the introduction of the Bill relating to Garo Customary Law does not amount to assent.
Rao said this while reacting to a report appeared in a section of the Press on Tuesday which said that Paul had given his approval to the Bill, which was aimed at giving recognition to any person born of a non-Garo mother and a Garo father as a Garo.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Rao said that the approval of the Governor was conveyed for introduction of the Bill in the GHADC.
According to him, the Bill was received by the Governor’s secretariat for prior approval for its introduction in the District Council under sub-rule (3) (a) of Rule 73 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 (Amended) as applicable to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
According to Rao, prior approval of the Governor for the introduction of any Bill is required only to determine the issue of jurisdiction of the District Council to legislate on the subject matter as indicated in the sub-rule (3) (b) of Rule 73 of the said Rules.
Rao further said it was not for the purpose of examining the merits of the Bill which is done only after the same is presented to the Governor under sub-para 3 of Para 3 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India after the Bill has been passed by the District Council and is recommended by the state government for the assent of the Governor.
Rao added that Bill in question was recommended by the state government for introduction in the District Council along with the opinion of the Advocate General indicating that the subject matter of the Bill is within the legislative competence of the District Council in terms of Para 3 (h), 3 (i) and 3 (j) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.