Headmen’s body flays clearance of Prevention of Disqualification Bill

SHILLONG: Reacting to passage of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Assembly on Thursday, Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynñiewtrep (SKNSKBH) chairman Werlok Kharshiing lamented that the Bill was passed without allowing the MLAs and the concerned stakeholders to properly deliberate on the matter.
“It looks like there is some hidden agenda behind the manner in which the State Government rushed to pass the Amendment Bill. This was perhaps the first time that the Bill was introduced and passed the very next day,” Kharshiing said.
He said this Amendment Bill was of huge importance and required lengthy and thorough deliberation not only among the legislators but also the stakeholders.
“Unfortunately this was not done since the Government was in a rush to pass the bill for unknown reasons,” he alleged.
According to Kharshiing, the MLAs were initially allowed to take part in elections and suddenly the legislation was brought forward.
“We need such legislation but it should be in prospective and not retrospective effect,” the SKNSKBH chairman said.