Shillong, Aug 27: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Friday formally submitted its decision of urging the Meghalaya government to pass an official resolution requesting the Government of India to amend the Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India by replacing the word ‘President’ by the word ‘Governor’.
HSPDP president, K.P. Pangniang handed over the letter with the part’s resolution to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of HSPDP had on August 23 discussed and expressed deep concern for amending the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. They had decided to write to State Government to request the Centre to change the word ‘President’ with ‘Governor’ in Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule.
Pangniang said, “In the meeting we have expressed to the chief minister to send out a government resolution to the Government of India and suggest that the word ‘President’ should be replaced by the word ‘Governor’ when it comes to amending the Para 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.”
He informed that till date under paragraph 12(b), the Governor of Assam has the power to notify and direct that any Act of Parliament shall not apply to an Autonomous District or an Autonomous region in the state of Assam, hence it is also necessary that such amendment should be made for the interest of Meghalaya as well.
He added that several Central Acts and Rules have affected the unique identity, cultural, land tenure and demographic structure of Meghalaya. In the past, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed Resolution urging the President of India to exempt applicability of the Conservation of Forest Act, 1980 and the MMDR Act, 1957 but till date the same has been turned down.
“In order for the state of Meghalaya to be protected from Central Acts and Rules, we as a party urged the chief minister to consider our demand by amending Paragraph 12A (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India” he said.
Pangniang also shared that the Chief Minister has assured the party to discuss their suggestions with the Cabinet before submitting the same to the Government of India.
