KHADC to send Nongkhlaw Syiemship Bill to Select Committee

SHILLONG:

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Monday,  the last day of the special session, decided to send the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination, Election and Appointment of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Sordar and Administration of Nongkhlaw Syiemship) Bill, 2023 to the Select Committee of the House.

However, the move of the Executive Committee (EC) of the KHADC, which includes the National People’s Party (NPP) and Congress, has not gone down well with the Leader of Opposition and United Democratic Party (UDP) Member of District Council, Titosstarwell Chyne.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chyne said that the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, and Deputy CEM, Bah Pynshngain N Syiem, referred the bill to the Select Committee as a face saving exercise after they realised their mistake.

It may be mentioned that on the final day of the two-day session, the opposition members led by the UDP, staged a walkout after the NPP-led EC decided to go ahead with the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Administration of Elaka) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Chyne claimed that after they staged the walkout the Deputy CEM in-charge Elaka Administration brought the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination, Election and Appointment of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Sordar and Administration of Nongkhlaw Syiemship) Bill, 2023 for the approval of the House but the EC asked Congress MDC from Nongstoin Gabriel Wahlang, who is from the ruling side, to bring an amendment to send the bill to the Select Committee.

Chyne questioned how the Chairman of the House, Lamphrang Blah, could send the bill to the Select Committee for deliberation.

He said that it was he who had brought an Amendment to the bill to be sent to the Select Committee.

“Since we were not present in the House (after staging the walkout) the EC could have passed the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination, Election and Appointment of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Sordar and Administration of Nongkhlaw Syiemship) Bill, 2023 and sent it to the Governor for his assent. But we were surprised it was instead sent to the Select Committee,” Chyne added.

The Leader of Opposition said that it was he who should have moved the amendment motion.