Tenancy Bill: CM to head House panel

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will head the Select Committee constituted by the Assembly to examine Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill, 2016.
It was on March 23 that the Assembly referred the Bill to the Select Committee.
While the names of other members were announced by the Assembly Speaker, the Chief Minister as Chairman of the Committee was notified on Monday.
The members  of the committee are Metbah Lyngdoh, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, John Leslee K. Sangma, Jemino Mawthoh, Hopeful Bamon, Cherak Momin, Saleng A. Sangma, Embhahlang Syiemlieh and Nihim D. Shira.
An official with the Assembly on Tuesday said that the Select Committee will submit  its report in the Assembly before the next session sometime in September.
The Committee will take suggestions from the concerned persons and groups before compiling the report.
It was after the pressure groups had asked the government to initiate steps to address the issue of influx that the government tabled the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill, 2016 in the just concluded Budget session of the Assembly as one of the measures to address the concerns over influx.
The Chief Minister desired to refer the matter to the Select Committee on March 23 after a request came from the Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy.    Earlier on March 18, the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill, 2016 was introduced in the State Assembly by the Chief Minister.
As per the Residents Safety and Security Bill, all persons residing in rented houses in the State will have to furnish requisite documents to the local police station or to the local authority for necessary verification.
The Act, however, will not apply to any house or rental units owned by the Central or State governments or a government undertaking or any other government establishments. There was criticism from several quarters that the Bill will only bring more harassment to the tenants instead of serving the real purpose.