Ruling & Opp slugfest marks last day

SHILLONG, JULY 1: Pandemonium marked the last day of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) budget session on Tuesday when agitated opposition walkout of the house to protest the passage of an amendment bills even as KHADC chairperson Teilinia Thangkhiew threatened to struck down the names of the opposition who were creating ruckus over the bill.

The opposition Khasi Hills United Democratic Alliance (KHUDA-II) demanded that the KHADC (Appointment & Succession of Sirdar and Headman of Jyrngam Sidarship) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2014 be referred to the select committee but Thangkhiew refused saying she will not allow any members (opposition) to have a debate on the bill since they had failed to submit any proposed amendment on the issue.

Thangkhiew said, “If members want to participate they can only give their suggestions but the bill will be passed.”

However , the opposition refused to listen to the chairperson and instead got into verbal duel with the ruling members forcing the chairperson to issue warning to the opposition that she will have to withdraw their names from house.

During the arguments, opposition leader Pynsngainlang N Syiem said, “The executive committee is adopting a bulldozing policy by failing to consult and take the views and opinions of the traditional institutions before taking a decision to pass the bill.”  He underscored the need to refer the bill to the select committee.”

However KHADC’s CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit asked the opposition to look into the rule book to find out as to who is playing by the book and who is violating the rules.Stating that most of the oppositions members are senior leaders of the council, he said, “Such action is nothing but attempt to disrupt the house.”

While Syiem said that the opposition will not accept the attitude adopted by the new EC, Basaiawmoit replied as the opposition had failed to submit any proposed amendment and asked them to refer to the rule book before displaying such acts inside the house.

Basaiawmoit also pointed out that the failure of the opposition to proposed amendment is a clear indication that they don’t even have points to put forth in the floor of the house.

While the arguments between the ruling and the opposition were continuing, the chairperson gave last warning that if the opposition fails to stop disrupting the proceeding she will have to withdraw their names.

Soon after the warning, agitated opposition members immediately decided to walkout of the house.

Later, the Executive Member (EM) in charge Elaka KP Pangniang placed the bill before the house and the bill was finally passed.- By Our Reporter