Meghalaya Govt to discuss MRSSA Bill with stakeholders

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 15: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong has informed that the state government will soon call a meeting with all stakeholders to discuss the letter of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has returned the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Amendment Bill (MRSSAB), 2020. 

Tynsong has informed this to a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), which met him today.

Addressing media persons, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said that the delegation had sought an explanation from the government on the decision of the MHA and the status of the MRSSAB, 2020.

“During our discussion, the deputy CM has informed us that the MHA has indeed returned the Bill with an observation and a direction that the state government of Meghalaya should revisit the provisions of the Bill,” he said.

“As to what are the provisions that has to be revisited by the government, the deputy CM told us that the MHA has certain reservations when it comes to setting up of entry-exit points or the gates as per the provisions of the Act (because such) gates will create inconvenience to the visitors or the people who enter the state,” Synrem said. 

He said, “Secondly, the MHA has reservation or has put a direction that any Bill or any Act which is made by the state government should not be against or in contravention against any Act passed by the parliament…so they should look into those two aspects.”

The HYC president said that the delegation has requested the deputy CM to provide a copy of the MHA letter so that they can also give suggestions to the government.

Synrem said that the deputy CM has also informed that the state government in the next few days will be calling a meeting with all stakeholders in order to discuss regarding the MHA letter.

“After we get the letter maybe we can give a proper suggestion to the government as to how the government should move forward,” he added.

Synrem said that he cannot comment any further on the MHA letter but the demand of the HYC is for the Governor to grant his assent to the MRSSAB, 2020 at the earliest.

“We have made two demands before the government – if you cannot give us ILP, give us MRSSAB but at the same time we understand that the Centre is a bit hesitant to give ILP, so we request the government that the amendment Bill should be passed but as far as we understand right now, the amendment Bill will take time because there should be a discussion as to how it should be streamlined so that the concerns raised by the MHA should not be a problem for the state to implement the Act,” he said.

Dry days declared in Sohiong

In view of the adjourned poll to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Commissioner (Excise) of East Khasi Hills district has declared May 8, 9 and 10, 2023 as dry days.

This is on account of these being the pre-polling and polling days. Also May 13 has been declared as a dry day on account of being the day of counting of votes.

This order is applicable in all areas falling under Sohiong (ST) Assembly Constituency.

Sohiong assembly polls: Order on deposition of arms, ammunition

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 30: The East Khasi Hills district administration has directed all license holders to deposit their arms and ammunition without fail in the nearest police station, outpost and beat house during the ongoing model code of conduct enforced on account of the ensuing election to the adjourned poll to the Sohiong assembly constituency.

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Non-compliance will result in the imposition of penalties prescribed under Section 25, IB, (h) which reads that failure to deposit arms or ammunition as required by Sub Section (l) of Section 21 “shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than (one year) but which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine”, the order said.

‘All measures in place ahead of Sohiong Assembly Polls on May 10’, informs DEO

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 30: The East Khasi Hills district administration has kept all measures in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the adjourned poll to the Sohiong constituency by implementing the code of conduct and prevention of defacement of public and private properties by all contesting candidates or political parties within the district.

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The election will be held on May 10 and counting will be on May 13.

The order issued by the District Election Officer (DEO) has prohibited all contesting candidates, agents and political parties from wall writing, pasting of posters or papers or defacement in any other form or erecting or displaying of cut-outs, hoardings, banners etc on any public property or premises.

It said no political parties or candidates will be allowed to put up banners on all roads or thoroughfares, No wall writing, pasting of posters or papers or defacement in any other form or erecting or displaying of cut-outs, hoardings, banners etc, shall be permitted on any private property, private walls without written permission from the house-owners and final approval from the office of the undersigned.

No election meeting would be allowed without taking permission from the office of the undersigned and subsequently local headmen regarding the venue of the meeting. No PA system will be allowed to be used between 10 pm to 6 am.

In case of PA systems or loudspeakers which are used without permission from the undersigned, the same would be seized immediately by the local authorities. No rallies and processions will be allowed without permission from the undersigned.

Meanwhile, the district administration has also prohibited any person or group of persons from carrying money above Rs 50,000 only, in East Khasi Hills District.

It said that information was received that some persons are likely to carry a large amount of hard cash to bribe the voters for casting their votes in favour of a particular candidate

That such action, if allowed, would affect the conduct of a free and fair election of the adjourned poll to the Sohiong constituency and is likely to cause frustration, quarrel and fights between members of the public, leading to law and order problems, breach of peace and tranquillity ultimately resulting to loss of life and property, the order said.

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)”.