Imphal: Apropos the news item that appeared on local media relating to tabling of Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bill 2021 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly and referring it to Select Committee for modification thereafter, as reported, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) alleged today that “the intention of the state government to refer the HAC recommended ‘The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021’ to a Select Committee after being introduced in the Assembly as reported in local media, is ultra vires which directly contradicts the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly and thereby breaking all legislative procedures.”
The ATSUM said it was compelled to issue this statement to set the record straight and to put things in the right perspective.
According to the tribal student body, the report as claimed to be from a reliable source is unprecedented and undermines the constitutional provisions mandated by the Presidential Order of June 20, 1972. The ATSUM also said that the legislative procedures laid down in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Manipur Legislative Assembly should not be overlooked while a Bill is being introduced in the Legislative Assembly. The tribal student body added that the HAC recommended “The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021,” being a bill containing the provisions of the scheduled matters, referring it to a Select Committee after introduction in the Assembly will tantamount to gross violation of the constitution of India.
Also read | ATSUM urges HAC Chairman to table ADC Bill 2021 during 2nd State Legislative Assembly
With regard to any of the scheduled matter falling within the Second Schedule of the 1972 presidential proclamation, it is mandatory that in the introduction of any bill the introducing member will immediately after introduction refer it only to the Hill Areas Committee for further deliberation and only after the final vetting by the HAC will the bill be taken up for discussion by the house, the ATSUM added.
Read further | ATSUM ‘Haipi pledge’ over ADC Bill 2021 & Tribal customary law & Constitutional rights
The ATSUM then reproduced the Paragraph 4 of the Fourth Schedule of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972—“Motion for introduction of Bills affecting the Hill Areas – When a Bill, other than a Money Bill, affecting the Hill Areas and containing mainly provisions dealing with any of the scheduled matters is introduced or on some subsequent occasion, the member-in-charge may make the following motion in regard to his Bill namely: ‘That it be referred to the Hill Areas Committee’. Provided that no such motion as aforesaid shall be made by any member other than the member-in-charge except by way of amendment to the motion made by the member in-charge.”
NNN
About The Author
