Meghalaya to amend disqualification of MLAs Act

Shillong, June 22 (UNI) The Congress led-Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, here today decided to table the Prevention of disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill: 2006, in the re-assembled Budget session beginning tomorrow to ensure that legislators holding any Office of Profit do not invite disqualification.

The decision was taken at the first Cabinet meeting chaired by newly-elected Chief Minister J D Rymbai.

Talking to newspersons, soon after the Cabinet meeting, Mr Rymbai said, the Amendment was necessitated mainly to clear doubts pertaining to appointment of legislators to the post of Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen.

''The present provision under the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Act: 1973 refers to the appointment of MLAs as Chairmen, but is silent on the term Co-Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and deputy Chairmen,'' the Chief Minister said.

However, the Cabinet decision to amend the Prevention of Disqualification Act, 1973 proved significant in view of the new government accommodating legislators as Chairmen and Co-Chairmen.

The Cabinet also approved the amendment of syllabus on the paper account for half-yearly departmental examinations for MCS/MPS/and MFS officers.

However, the Cabinet could not take any decision on the conveyance allowance in lieu of allotted vehicles to Ministers as also the construction of Meghalaya House in New Delhi.

UNI RRK PL HS KP1821