VAB: PN Syiem questions need for MHA clearance

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Jan 1: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC)Pynshngain N Syiem has questioned the process through which the Village Administration Bill (VAB) passed by his Executive Committee (EC) has to go through Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

This was categorical made known by the Syiem himself during an interaction with The Sentinel on New Years Eve. “We have sought an appointment with the Governor on January 5 and our thrust will be on his views sought from the Union Home Ministry,” he said.

“Usually, any bill passed by the district council, when rejected is sent back to the State government and not for views from the Union Government,” stated Syiem even as he said they will solicited the Governor’s opinion for taking the steps.

The VAB of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has got the Governor’s nod ahead of Christmas. It is virtually a blow to the KHADC Chief who maged to facilitate the VAB for the four districts of the state but still without a constitutiol assent.

Syiem in his resolved to push his pet legislation to the logical end said, “I don’t think the Governor is bias but my question is on the dilly-dally in endorsing the crucial legislation”. The KHADC legislation sought to constitutiolly empower the traditiol heads of the state after the High Court ruling that questioned the traditiol bodies’ source of legal powers.