Guv to seek Centre’s views on dual-post Bill

SHILLONG:  The State Governor V Shanmuganathan is contemplating to seek views of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015 before giving his assent.
“I understand that it is a very important Bill. I will seek the views of the Home Ministry on it,” the Governor said during an informal interaction with the media persons at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.
He further said that he would first consult various stakeholders before giving his assent to this amendment Bill.
When pointed out that the Meghalaya High Court while responding to a PIL on the issue of dual post had left it to his office to take a call on the issue, he said that everyone would call upon the Governor to take a call on any matter. “But the Governor will act on its own way,” Shanmuganathan said.
Assent to VABs: Shanmuganathan said that he would give his nod to the Village Administration Bills passed by KHADC and JHADC after receiving the inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“As soon as the Centre gives its views, there will not be even one minute delay to pass the two Bills from my side,” he said.
He, however, said that before giving his assent, he would definitely hold consultations with the stakeholders including the traditional bodies and the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)  to known their mind on these two Bills.
According to him, he wanted to have wider consultations on the matter.
He further informed that at his level he had consulted a lot of people right from the traditional heads, Syiems and heads of different Autonomous District Councils and public figures to have a clear understanding on this matter.
“I feel that there is a need to get the views of the Ministry of Home Affairs since Meghalaya is part and parcel of India. I had also spoken with the Union Home Minister,” Governor said.