By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a big jolt to noted businessman Mohindro Rapsang, who is eyeing a Congress ticket to contest the 2013 polls from the prestigious 18-Shillong West constituency, the proposed amendment to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Electors and Rangbah Shnongs of Mylliem Syiemship) Act, 2007 has been put on hold.
The Select Committee constituted to study the proposed amendment of the Act sought additional time to complete the study during the first day of the KHADC Autumn session on Tuesday.
With the Committee seeking extension of time, amendment of the Act is now likely to take place in the next session of the Council which would be held in March next year.
Rapsang, who was hoping that the Act would be suitably amended, would now have to relinquish his position as a Myntri (minister) under the Mylliem Syiemship, before contesting the polls. As per Section 20 of the Appointment and Succession Act of the KHADC, a Myntri is not allowed to take part in active politics.
Earlier, Chairman of the Select Committee, Lamphrang Blah, sought permission from the House for extension of time to complete the study of the proposed amendment in a comprehensive manner.
“Majority of the members of the committee are of the view that they cannot rush with their recommendation on the proposed amendment since it a very critical issue. We would like to be given more time to study the matter,” Blah said on the floor of the House.
Blah, who is the Executive Member in charge of Elaka, informed the House that the Committee had met on several occasion to study the matter.
The proposal to amend the Act was mooted to allow Rapsang to contest the upcoming 2013 election.
The KHADC had referred the matter to the Select Committee following lack of unanimity among the MDCs on the issue.
