Meghalaya govt to clear 21 pending bills

Meghalaya government today assured to clear 21 pending bills, which include the Khasi Hills District (Village Administration) Bill, 2014 passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on a fast track mode.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma made the assurance to a delegation of the executive committee of the KHADC led by its Chief Executive Member Adelbert Nongrum at his chamber.
"The CM and the District Council Affairs department has assured us that the pending bills will be taken up at the earliest to ensure quality in the service of district council members is strengthened," Nongrum told newsmen after the meeting.

"We have also arrived at a consensus that there will be a close coordination between the state government and the district council in ensuring that the pending bills are process at the earliest," the KHADC chief said.
At present, there are 21 bills passed by the KHADC which are lying with the state government in past 21 years since 1994.
Yesterday, while informing that he would meet the KHADC today, the Chief Minister had also maintained that the DCA has been directed to point out the areas in the bill which are required to be addressed by the KHADC.

Earlier, the DCA had returned back the Bill to the KHADC for rectification but without specifying the areas concerned which the district council needs to rectify and submit back to the department.

Asked whether the DCA had pointed out the flaws in the village administration bill, Nongrum said, "In today's meeting the DCA assured to soon hold a meeting with the KHADC to discuss on those areas concerned in order to speed up the passage of the bill for getting the assent of the Governor."
Of the 21 bills, eight bills which are lying pending awaiting the assent and approval of the Governor were also taken up during the meeting today.
These include the KHAD (Regulation and Registration of Marriage and Divorce) Bill, 2005, the United Khasi Jaintia Hills District (Trading by Non Tribals) (Eight Amendment) Regulation Bill, 2011, The KHAD (Nomination and Election of the Syiem, Deputy Syiem and Electors of Nongstoin Syiemship) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013, The KHAD (Allotment, Occupation or Use or Setting Apart of Land) Bill, 2014 and others.