SHILLONG, March 28: The Assembly on Tuesday passed the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming (Repeal) Bill, 2023, but not before some drama when VPP’s Nongkrem legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit tabled an amendment to the Bill to repeal the entire bill without including the saving clause.
The amendment was later withdrawn after necessary clarification by Minister in charge of taxation, Abu Taher Mondal.
Stating that if this repealing bill is passed with the inclusion of the saving clause it will defeat the very purpose of the bill itself, Basaiawmoit said, “It seems that this bill with the inclusion of para 3 (saving clause) is only to hoodwink the people because there has been protest from different quarters of the state against this act brought by the government.”
Pointing out that provisional licenses have already been issued to three people, he wanted to know the fate of those licences if this saving clause is included.
Mondal explained that the saving clause is provided as a matter of precaution to prevent any future challenge to the actions taken by the government and the officials carrying out the activities necessary for implementation of the Act and the rules.
He said the saving clause is proposed in terms of section 6 of the general clauses of 1897 and also is a valid legislative exercise by the government based on policy consideration. “Therefore, the saving clause found in the proposed bill is necessary to be written and may not be deleted,” Mondal said.
Basaiawmoit thanked the minister for the clarification and withdrew his amendment.
In addition, the Assembly also passed the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 moved by Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma.
The House also passed the Meghalaya Appropriation (No II) Bill, 2023 moved by Chief Minister in charge of Finance, Conrad Sangma.
Later, the House was adjourned sine die.
