SHILLONG: Newly elected Chairman of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Pyniaid Sing Syiem has laid emphasis on following up pending Bills of the Council while calling upon the MDCs to coordinate for better functioning of the KHADC.
Syiem, who was elected uncontested as the chairman of the Council on Wednesday, said, “From 1952 till date, 61 Bills were passed and 11 Bills have not received the assent of the Governor. There are 18 Bills that were submitted to the Governor through the District Council Affairs (DCA) but were returned by the Governor with a message. There are 40 Bills that the DCA has asked for clarification from the Executive Committee (EC)”.
Syiem said that two Bills were recalled by the EC. He appealed to the committee to seriously follow up on the pending Bills. “I appealed the EC to take the matter seriously. We will be glad to work together,” he said. He added that in 2018 the AD Rules of the Council were amended. Syiem, who was a former deputy CEM, said that there was a discussion to recall the AD Rules Amendment Bill which is still with the DCA. He added that the Council’s Legislative wing will sit together with the EC. Earlier, in his speech, former chairman and former CEM Teinwell Dkhar also spoke about following up on the Bills passed by the Council. He stated that different Elaka and Himas should have their own Act and has appealed to the Chairman to look into the matter.
The former CEM also expressed concern on the arguments of a section of the citizens about abolishing the KHADC. He observed that the MDCs, both in the ruling and opposition, should work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the Council.