Traditiol heads slams Mukul and group

Governor urged not to assent amendment bill on dual posts 

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Sept 29: The “Ka Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep” (KSKNSKBUH)-an association of traditiol village leaders of Khasi & Jaintia Hills, has condemned the passing of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015 which bars holding of dual posts.

“The Executive Committee which met on September 28 has strongly condemned the attitude and move of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and his group of loyalist for mindlessly supporting the Chief Minister in passing the bill,” general secretary of the group said today.

According to the Synjuk, though Dr Sangma had categorically clarified that there is no mala-fide intention in bringing the amendment bill, it however said that the question remains why is the government keen in hurriedly passing the Bill?  The KSKNSKBUH said that if the government can extend the tenure of GHADC for more than a year, then why cannot the government wait till the completion of the tenure of the present KHADC and make the Bill applicable from 2019.

Moreover, the KSKNSKBUH also questioned the logic behind singling out only legislators holding dual post as MDCs.

It said questioned the government about MLAs holding posts of chairman, parliamentary secretaries, holding and enjoying office of profit and said that they should be measured by the same yard stick as well.

The KSKNSKBUH  alleged that extending the assembly session at the last minute, and just for a day in order to pass the amended bill, clearly signifies ulterior motives behind the decision./

The group said that burning issues concerning the livelihood and upliftment of the indigenous people takes a backseat.

The KSKNSKBUH also reminded that on March 3 this year the Chief Minister assured stakeholders during the meeting that there will be no infringement upon the ADCs whatsoever from the part of the Government.

“If it is so, why don’t the state government restrain itself from doing so and come to a mutual understanding instead of creating confusion and chaos in the mind set of the indigenous people in the entire districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills due to sudden introduction of the Bill creating a stalemate between the state government and the district councils,” the KSKNSKBUH said.

The KSKNSKBUH has also requested the Meghalaya Governor, deliberate on the bill before giving his assent.

According to the KSKNSKBUH the outcome of the bill will effect the stability between the state government and the district councils, and the preservation of valued customs and practices of the indigenous people of Khasi & Jaiñtia Hills which has been in existence since time immemorial.