Shillong, October 14: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chairman Strongpillar Kharjana refused to allow a discussion on the Land Bill reportedly returned by the Governor of Meghalaya through the District Council Affairs (DCA) Department, prompting concerns from opposition members during the Council session.
The issue was raised by UDP MDC from Mairang, Equator L. Nongrang, after the Question Hour. Nongrang cited the relevant Council rules while seeking permission to discuss the matter and clarification on why the proposed discussion was being disallowed.
However, the Chairman declined to entertain the matter, stating that information regarding the return of the Land Bill had appeared only in media reports and that his office had not received any official communication confirming the development.
Kharjana maintained that the information had not been officially communicated to the Council and disputed the reported claims.
Expressing concern over the Chairman’s decision, Leader of the Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne argued that elected MDCs have a responsibility to raise matters of public importance in the Council.
Chyne maintained that members should be allowed to seek clarification on important developments, even when information initially emerges through media reports.
He expressed disappointment that the Chairman had refused to permit a discussion on the issue.
The Opposition Leader said MDCs wanted to know what observations the Governor had made while returning the Land Bill, particularly whether those observations were similar to the concerns previously raised by opposition members before the Bill was passed.
He also pointed out that traditional heads had expressed reservations about certain provisions of the legislation.
Chyne stressed that a discussion would have allowed Council members to understand the objections raised and examine the implications for the proposed legislation.
The development comes after Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who oversees the District Council Affairs Department, reportedly confirmed last week that the Land Bill passed by the KHADC had been returned with observations for further consideration.
The refusal to allow discussion has raised questions among opposition members over the handling of the matter, particularly as the Council awaits official clarification regarding the Governor’s observations.
