SHILLONG, AUG 6: Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong today said the state government would soon submit its views on the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 to the Governor Ganga Prasad.
“The amendment Bill has been referred to the government and we would accordingly submit necessary views on the matter to the governor,” Tynsong told reporters here on Monday.
Asked how much time will the government take to submit its views on the Bill, he however said, “It depends on the concerned minister to immediately take action as ultimately it (Bill) has to come to the cabinet (before sending the views to the governor).”
On the other hand, the deputy chief minister said that it is not a question of rejection or assent but it is a question of may be again there is need to review or revisit the Bill to further strengthen it.
Whether there is any likelihood for the governor to send the Bill to the Centre for examination, he however said, “No, once the Bill is referred to the government meaning it has to the come to the government and after that the rules says the governor can return back the Bill.”
Responding to a query as to whether the government would suggest the need to refer the Bill to the select committee, the deputy chief minister said that the government will first study the Bill before giving its views on the matter. “Let the department concerned examine it properly and bring it to the Cabinet,” he said.
It may be mentioned here, the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 seeks to strip off the Schedule Tribe (ST) status of Khasi women who marries non-indigenous people and their offsprings.
While women activists have opposed the Bill citing that it seeks to ostracise Khasi women, the others who are supporting the Bill however defended by saying that it would protect and preserve the identity of the indigenous community.
By Our Reporter
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