NEW DELHI: The much talked about bill for amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution giving special benefits to the northeastern region might be introduced in the next session of Parliament, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Tura Lok Sabha member Conrad Sangma on Thursday.
The Cabinet secretariat is preparing the note for amending the Sixth Schedule and it may be approved in the next Cabinet, Singh said.
“The Government may try and bring the Sixth Schedule amendment Bill in the next session of Parliament,” a statement released by Sangma quoted the Home Minister as saying.
Earlier, Shillong MP Vincent H. Pala had raised the issue of amendments to the Sixth Schedule in the Lok Sabha several times. The State Government too had approached the Centre on the issue.
The proposed amendments will clear way for increasing the number of seats in District Councils, put in place an anti-defection law and abolish dual posts.
Rehab package, visa
row discussed
Sangma also raised the issue of rehabilitation of cadres of ANVC and ANVC(B) where many aspects of the text agreement were not fulfilled.
The Home Minister assured that the agreement will be honoured in letter and spirit.
The NPP leader also took up the matter of cancellation of visas of some missionaries, some of whom have been working in India for the last 30 years. He also apprised Singh of the problem many Christian organisations were facing with regards to renewal of FCRA registration.
Singh was surprised about the visa cancellation and promised to look into the matter.
On FCRA registration, he said some officers were removed from the department leading to delays in the system but assured that he would look into the matter and get it resolved at the earliest.