MRSSA 2016 operational in original form

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) 2016 is operational in its original form.

In his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly here, Sangma said that the measures taken by the government to implement the Act include the constitution of the district task force in all districts and the launching of web portal https//megrssa.nic.in/ to allow landlords to furnish information on the tenants as per the provisions of the MRSSA, 2016.

He informed the selection of seven localities on pilot basis under the Shillong urban area viz Nongrim Hills, Pohkseh, Nongrah, Nongmensong, Lapalang, Riat Laban and Wahdienglieng for implementation in the first phase.

He added that training and capacity building of headmen and their support staff on how to make entries in the web portal has been conducted by the deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills.

Mukul says Meghalaya Speaker should select LO for proper opposition representation

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 20: All India Trinamool Congress leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma today said the issue as to who will represent the opposition bench in the Assembly is left to the wisdom of the Speaker.

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“We have left it to the wisdom of the Speaker,” Sangma, who is also a former leader of the opposition, told reporters.

Three opposition parties including Congress and the Voice of the People Party are in a fix now as to who should become the leader of the opposition in the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly considering the fact that as per rule, a party which is represented by the Leader of Opposition should have at least 10 members in the Assembly (one-sixth of the total strength of 60 members in the House) for recognition.

But the opposition parties – Congress, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have five MLAs each, while the VPP has four MLAs, which is much below the strength of 10 members.

The former chief minister however said, “You go by history. In 2013-2018, when we were in the ruling, what did we do? We allow having a leader of opposition in spite of the number not being able to fulfil that criterion as per rules and conduct of business in this August House. And earlier, the same thing happened in 2008-2013.”

Stating that there are records available for reference, he said, “Therefore, we are leaving it to the wisdom of the Speaker,” while adding “Because these issues are based on how do we ensure that there is no vacuum because if you are looking at various other aspects of responsibilities which revolves around various laws and implementation of laws by the government, you will see the requirement of the role of opposition.”

Sangma further informed that the three opposition parties are yet to sit properly to discuss the issue.

“We are yet to sit on this particular issue and therefore, there is a kind of lack of synergy in as far as this decision is concerned. We hope to have a sitting and have a certain kind of decision which will be arrived at with the wisdom of all concerns,” he said.

Meghalaya TMC leader Mukul Sangma emphasizes on constructive role of 3 Opposition parties

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: TMC leader and former leader of the opposition Mukul Sangma said the three opposition parties have to synergize the overall mandate and collectively take issues which are confronting the people of the state.

Sangma told reporters that as far as the question of the leader of the opposition is concerned, it depends on how the Speaker determines because there are certain rules which need to be referred to.

He said at the same time there has been precedence during their time when the opposition was only 7 and there was a notification to that effect appointing a leader of the opposition.

“Remember late Dr Donkupar Roy between 2013 and 2018, he was LO. We notified him,” he said while adding “Let us expect that good sense prevails because at the end of the day, as I reasserted time and again, we must realize one thing that we are all under the constant scrutiny of the people whom we represent and therefore, our purpose is to be in sync with that whole trust and confidence with which people have elected us and given us the mandate.”

 He asserted the need for all opposition parties to synergize their efforts collectively in the interest of the people and the state.

 On VPP’s decision to maintain a separate identity in the opposition bench, Sangma said, “We have three different groups here – the TMC, INC and VPP. We have our own respective identities as far as political parties. So there is no question of diluting that. While saying so is the role of the opposition as we synchronize and synergize our effort collectively towards achieving our purpose, fulfilling our purpose that is what I am saying and that will enable us to be effective as opposition, constructive as opposition and deliver what is expected through this whole collective exercise that we do.”

 “As we have said, we will always be reminded of the trust and confidence with which people have elected us and sent us with this mandate. Therefore, our role will always be guided by this conscience, the conscience which reminds us of our responsibility towards the larger good of the people and our responsibility towards protecting the interest of the state,” he added.

 Sangma said that the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the Indian National Congress (INC) will continue to meet on the matter. “It is just the beginning, have some patience,” he stated.

Mukul Sangma questions BJP’s move to back Meghalaya NPP-led MDA-2.0

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: Former chief minister Mukul Sangma today questioned BJP’s decision to support the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance – 2.0 government despite its promise of zero tolerance against corruption.

 Sangma told reporters that BJP had said that there is a need to change the MDA regime and the reason being the issue of corruption.

Also read: Meghalaya Cabinet approves Bill to repeal Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021

 “Now issue corruption if they have been so rhetoric on issues of corruption and suddenly they realize that they didn’t get the numbers and surrender, it is not something which is expected by the people nor by political parties like us because with every political party lies a huge responsibility, responsibility towards the larger good of the people and interest of the state,” he said.

 “Now doesn’t BJP subscribe to the idea of walking the talk and at the same time doesn’t they realize the huge amount of responsibility that they have being the political party who is governing this great nation and also BJP must be reminded of the fact that none other than the prime minister himself have promised to the people of this great nation that come what may there will be zero tolerance against corruption,” he said.  

 Asserting the need to understand the responsibility that comes along with every mandate, Sangma said, “Whether you win the election or not but you have shared the votes of the people. Whether the percentage of votes is enough to convert into winning or otherwise but the fact is that people have repose a certain amount of confidence even if the number is not enough to make the party have that kind of number they expected but nevertheless their words were taken by the people, people have believed them that is why people have gone towards their party and therefore, the responsibility of that political party towards fulfilling their commitment lies.” 

SC verdict on pleas for independent mechanism to appoint EC on Thursday

New Delhi, March 1 (IANS) The Supreme Court will deliver judgment on Thursday on a batch of petitions seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of Election Commissioners (ECs) and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

A constitution bench, headed by Justice K.M. Joseph and comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and C.T. Ravikumar had reserved judgment in the matter on November 24, 2022. According to the cause list, two judgments, each by Justices Joseph and Rastogi, will be pronounced at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday in the matter.

During the arguments, Attorney General R. Venkataramani had told the Supreme Court that if it were to begin to doubt every step taken by the government in the process of appointment of the Election Commissioner, then it has implications on the integrity and independenceA of the institution.

The five-judge constitution bench, headed by Justice Joseph, had then shot a volley of questions at the country’s top law officer in connection with the appointment of Election Commissioner Arun Goel. It posed some critical questions to the AG in connection with Goel’s appointment: what deliberation could have been done to finalise his name within 24 hours, same-day clearance, same day process completed, and the appointment was made not even in 24 hours.

The Centre had, however, maintained that there is no trigger point for the Supreme Court to interfere in the appointment process of the Election Commissioner.

After hearing detailed arguments, the Supreme Court reserved the judgment on a batch of petitions seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of the ECs and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

During the hearing, the Supreme Court had told the Centre that it wants to see the files relating to the recent appointment of Goel as the Election Commissioner and emphasised that it wants to see by what mechanism, “he was picked up”, and “there is no danger to produce it (files)”.