SHILLONG: Opposition parties in the State have asked the government to clarify on the proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution which is slated to be taken up for discussion at the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on January 16.
“Unless we are aware of the amendments being proposed by the State Government it will be difficult on our part to take part in the meeting,” UDP working president Bindo M Lanong told newsmen after a meeting of the opposition parties including NPP, UDP, HSPDP and KHNAM here on Monday.
“We need to discuss among ourselves on these amendments which the Government is proposing. We can also prepare ourselves in a better way if we are familiarized with the agenda proposed to be taken up for discussion during the all-party meeting,” he said.
He asked the Government to submit the clarifications sought by them in time to give them opportunity to discuss the amendments and added that the Government can always extend the date of the meeting.
Observing that the traditional chiefs in Meghalaya enjoy special powers under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Lanong made it clear that the opposition parties would not cooperate in any attempt by the State Government to bring amendments to dilute their powers.
The powers enjoyed by the traditional chief should remain intact. Any amendments proposed by the State Government should aim to strengthen the age-old practice of the various traditional bodies in the State, he added.
Demand for Anti-Defection Law in District Councils
The opposition parties have resolved to urge upon the Centre for application of the Anti-defection Law in all the Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth Scheduled of the Constitution of India within Meghalaya.
“Anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of our Constitution applicable to Parliament and Assemblies should also be extended to the Autonomous District Councils,” UDP working president Bindo Mathew Lanong told newsmen after the meeting.
“In the absence of Anti-Defection Law, the elected MDCs have the liberty to leave the political party under whose principles and symbol they were elected. They then choose to join other political party or return back to their parent party according to their whims and fancies and the need of the hour,” Lanong added.
Lanong also informed that the State Assembly had passed a resolution in March, 2011 to urge the Centre for application of the tenth Schedule in the Autonomous District Councils which have witnessed a number of unfortunate experiences of horse-trading, defections and switching of loyalties from one party to another.
