By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 27: The Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM), Pynshngain N Syiem, on Wednesday, said that any member of the Council apart from the executive members (EMs) in the Executive Committee (EC) can suggest referring the Bill to the Select Committee.
Syiem, who is in-charge of Elaka Administration department, said Rule 80 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, as amended, permits any member of the House, except EMs, to refer a Bill to a select committee.
“It is not necessary that an amendment motion should be moved for referring a bill to a select committee. But yes an executive member cannot make such a suggestion,” KHADC Deputy CEM said.
He said that the EC on the final day of the special session had agreed to the suggestion made by Congress MDC, Gabriel Wahlang, to refer the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination, Election and Appointment of the Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Sordar and Administration of Nongkhlaw Syiemship) Bill, 2023, to the Select Committee since the need to study the Bill was felt.
Questioning the decision to refer the Bill to the select committee, Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne said the EC created a wrong precedence by indulging in “illegal and unparliamentary” practice inside the House.
The EC is led by the National People’s Party.
“If they do such things inside the House, then one can understand what they indulge in outside,” Chyne said.
He further said that he will write to KHADC Chairman Lamphrang Blah to seek a clarification on why the rules of conduct of business were flouted. “The House cannot refer the bill to the Select Committee just by a mere suggestion of a member from the ruling side. This is a glaring example of how the present EC flouted the rules for conduct of business,” Chyne had said.
According to him, the Bill should have been considered, clause by clause, and then passed by the House.
“The present EC is making a mockery of the whole system. How can it violate the procedure followed even by the Assembly and the Parliament?” he asked.
