SHILLONG, Sept 12: The Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming (Repealing) Bill, 2022 introduced by the lone KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum was rejected through voice vote in the Assembly on Monday.
“The No’s have it, the motion is not carried and leave to introduce the Bill is not granted. The Bill is therefore rejected by the House,” Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said after the Bill was put to vote.
When Nongrum expressed unhappiness about the decision, Lyngdoh said, “I have taken the sense of the House and during this the Bill is not granted. Therefore, the Bill is rejected by the House.”
He suggested the member, “You may bring again on this issue in different forms. As of now, the Bill is rejected by the House.”
Earlier, while moving to introduce the Bill, Nongrum said the Bill was to acknowledge and respect the moral sentiments of the people of the state, to ensure that the Meghalaya Prevention of Gambling Act, 1970 is not diluted and to repeal the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2020.
He said there is need to weigh the intention of the state government to raise revenue in the wake of opposition from several quarters against the move to open casino in the state.
