SHILLONG: KHADC CEM PN Syiem has slammed Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for his remark that the government fulfilled its ‘legislative duties’ by passing the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) amendment Bill.
Speaking to reporters after the first sitting of the executive committee of the Federation of Traditional Dorbar (FOTD) here on Wednesday, Syiem questioned the Chief Minister’s motive behind passing of the Bill in the mid-session of the Meghalaya Assembly.
Criticising his fellow Congress MLAs, he said “They did not understand the validity of the Bill”.
“I have sought the intervention of the AICC and the ball is now in the AICC’s court,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister while referring to the dual post Bill on Tuesday had said “Our job is to make law. We need to fulfill our legislative duties. How people respond to it is another matter. But the law will take its own course”.
Asked why the Bill was passed midway, the Chief Minister denied that it was done in a hurry.
FOTD Bill: Meanwhile, the Federation of Traditional Dorbar (FOTD), which got the KHADC recognition as per the Sixth Schedule, has decided to come up with a draft bill defining its role and function.
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of Federation of Traditional Dorbar) Bill, 2015, which aims to frame rules for the newly created FOTD, was proposed in the first sitting of the executive committee of the federation held here on Wednesday.
Informing this after the meeting, the KHADC CEM said that another meeting of the committee will take place on December 3 to discuss the draft Bill.
Commenting on the composition of the FOTD, Syiem said, “The FOTD will have representatives from the Executive Dorbar and the Dorbar Pyllun; the size of the Dorbar Pyllun will not exceed 10,000. However, it will be decided based on the strength of the executive dorbar.”
Further shedding light on the vision of FOTD, Syiem emphasized that the aim of the FOTD is to bring about the spirit of cooperation, aiming to maintain unity and protecting the indigenous people upholding the customary laws of the land.
“The District Council and FOTD will further strengthen the customary laws of the indigenous people,” Syiem said.
