Meghalaya Guv unveils monoliths outside Raj Bhavan
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 21: On the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of statehood day of Meghalaya, the Governor, Phagu Chauhan today unveiled ‘Ki Mawbynna” or monoliths erected outside the main gates of Raj Bhavan, Shillong in commemoration of 150 glorious years of Raj Bhavan.
On the occasion the Governor also inaugurated a beautiful tree house constructed in the sprawling lawn of Raj Bhavan, adding to its majestic beauty.
The unveiling was witnessed by the officers and staff of Raj Bhavan led by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, Dr. B D R Tiwari
Formerly known as Government House, the Raj Bhavan was the one of the first houses to be built in Shillong. Designated as the official residence of the then Deputy Commissioner, Colonel Henry Stuart Bivar, it was designed, built and modelled to showcase the grandeur of the British Colonial Rule. In 1874, when Shillong became the Headquarters of the newly created province of Assam, Bivar house was transformed into the Chief Commissioner’s Residency.
The Residency, however, was damaged beyond repair in the Shillong earthquake of 1897. The present building was constructed over the remains of the Residency and was occupied in 1903-04.
The Government House was renamed as “Raj Bhavan” on December 6, 1951.
After the independence of India, this symbol of the British Raj, in gradual transformation, became the symbol of a vibrant democracy, and ever since it has been the residence of the Governors of the State.
Govt bats for change in MLAs pension
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 15: The Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya (Member’s Pension) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to reduce the qualifying years of 2 years and 6 months for an MLA to be eligible to receive a pension, was tabled in the first day of the Assembly’s autumn session held today.
Stating the object and reasons after introducing the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Parliamentary Affairs Prestone Tynsong said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has proposed to reduce the qualifying years of 2 years and 6 months as contained in proviso to section 3 (l) of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Member’s Pension) Act, 1977.
He said that the existing provision in section 3 of the said Act puts a cap of 2 years and 6 months for an MLA to be eligible to receive a pension. In view of this law, members who have served as an MLA for less than this period were not eligible to receive a pension.
Tynsong also said there are few persons who were members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly who have fallen short of 2 years and 6 months as required in section proviso to section 3 (l) of the said Act and thus ineligible to receive a pension.
“To enable these persons to be eligible to receive a pension, the instant amendment is being placed. Therefore the proposal to amend section 3 of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Member’s Pension) Act, 1977 by inserting a new proviso and by giving it retrospective effect is being proposed in the amendment. Hence, this Bill,” he said.
In the financial memorandum, Assembly’s Commissioner & Secretary Andrew Simons said that the additional expenditures will be involved from the consolidated fund of the State while implementing this amendment provision.
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