TURA: The two senior most NPP MDCs in the GHADC , former CEM Denang T Sangma and former Executive Member Dipul R Marak have sought explanations from Meghalaya Government and the ruling Congress alliance in the district council for the return of the Garo Customary Laws Bill.
“The government has claimed there is opposition to the present Bill from NGOs. Where are the letters of opposition?” questioned Dipul Marak as soon as the House assembled for the last day of the budget session.
He said, “Garo Hills has innumerable NGOs but only three organizations have petitioned the Governor. The Bill which was passed by a majority last time is now being put to a Select Committee by the same members whohad voted in favour of the Bill. What does it tell about the capability of the 29 elected MDCs?”
Coming down heavily on a group called All A’chik Citizens Forum, former CEM Denang T Sangma lashed out at the organisation for mentioning in its petition to the Governor that “only a few representatives” had given consent for the Bill’s passage in March.
“The All A’chik Citizens Forum has insulted the mandate of the people of Garo Hills who elected the 29 members to the district council,” an angry Denang T Sangma stated inside the House and added that the District Council Affairs Department of the state government, which sent the Bill back to the GHADC, did not specify any reason while asking for a review.