SHILLONG: The KHADC has proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution to incorporate a specific time period for clearing bills of the KHADC.
Replying to a query during the summer session of the KHADC here on Thursday, CEM P.N. Syiem said, “In the proposal to the amendment to the Sixth Schedule, the timeframe to complete and clear pending Bills should be within six months. The Governor can return the Bill with a message requesting the Council for reconsideration of the Bill.”
In the wake of the pending amendment of Social Lineage Act, 2015 for one year which aims to impose stringent procedures for the issuance of tribal status, KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum sought queries regarding the Bill which was passed during his tenure as CEM.
“The Bill was sent to the Governor through the District Council Affairs department but it was returned for further rectifications on certain clauses. The Governor should have returned the Bill with suggestions as per rules,” Syiem informed.
“The Bill is currently with the District Council. We will send the Bill as it is and since we have sent it the second time, it is likely to get the Governor’s assent,” he added.
Taking note of the delay of the Council in re-submitting the Bill, Nongrum said, “It is a defeat of the legislative power of the District Council.”
It may be reminded that the KHADC had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the State last month seeking his intervention to amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.
