The Congress-led Meghalaya government today passed a bill in the assembly which prevents elected legislators from holding any other post as member to any of the tribal autonomous district councils from October 1.
The Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed after the amendment motion moved by opposition Hill State Peoples Democratic Party legislator K P Pangniang was defeated.
"The amendment motion to the bill is defeated and lost. The bill is passed," Speaker A T Mondal said on the penultimate day of the six-day autumn session of the House.
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Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, who had tabled the bill yesterday, said "We have decided that the Bill shall be made effective from October 1, 2015".
Appreciating members of houses who agreed in principle with the bill but pleaded it be made effective from March 1, 2019, Rowell said the earlier date was fixed "because it (holding dual post) will go against the provision of the Constitution as it is office of profit at both ends."
At least eight MLAs who are also elected members of either of the three tribal autonomous district councils will now have to decide to continue on one post only after the date announced.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said, "The bill was passed after the government has actively involved with due diligence ... It (bill) is a legislative measure that is binding on us and based on this whole exercise, it will set things correct."
The bill is in sync with the spirit of the Constitution, he added.
