Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 282/14

APPEAL

Shillong, August 5, 2014: The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a news item appearing in the Shillong Times, Dated August 04, 2014 under the caption “Miners announce bandh on August 6, 2014 where the State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners and Dealers Forum have called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on the 6 August, 2014.

The State Government would like to state its commitment to sort out this issue and to reiterate that all necessary steps have been taken, and further steps continue to be taken to resolve the issue relating to the NGT ban on coal mining in the State. Resorting to any form of agitation at this juncture would only jeopardize the life and property of the citizens and create further unnecessary tension in the minds of the people. The persons calling the bandh will be held responsible for any damages or loss caused to public or private property during the period of agitation under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act and will be liable to compensate any loss. The State Government reiterates its firm commitment to maintain law and order at all costs and to ensure that the security of its citizens is not compromised in any way.

Members of the public in general and the Government employees in particular are requested not to pay any heed to this unreasonable call and to come out as they would on any normal working day and carry on with their daily activities. All Government offices and establishments will function normally. The State Government would also like to appeal to the members of the public not to be intimidated by the call made by the Forum and reiterates its commitment to maintain peace and order in keeping with its Constitutional obligation to ensure a secure environment for the benefit of all the citizens of the State.

Once again, Government takes this opportunity to appeal to all the citizens in the State to firmly denounce such unwarranted call, and to assist the administration in the dutiful discharge of its obligations.

Press Release No. 283/14

CLARIFICATION

Shillong, August 5, 2014: Attention of the Governor’s Secretariat has been drawn to the news items pertaining to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (Codification of the Garo Customary Law) Bill, 2009 which will appeared in today’s (5/8/2014) edition of certain local dailies. In this connection the correct legal position is clarifies as follows:

The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (Codification of the Garo Customary Law) Bill, 2009 was received by the Governor’s Secretariat for prior approval of the Governor for introduction of the Bill in the District Council under sub-rule (3) (a) of Rule 73 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 (Amended) as applicable to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. Prior approval of the Governor for the introduction of the Bills is required only to determine the issue of jurisdiction of the District Council to legislate on the subject matter as indicated in the sub rule (3) (b) of Rule 73 of the said Rules.

It is not for the purpose of examining the merits of the Bill which is done only after the same is presented to the Governor under sub para 3 of Para 3 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India after the Bill has been passed by the District Council and is recommended by the State Government for the assent of the Governor. In the instant case the Bill was recommended by the State Government for introduction in the District Council along with the opinion of the Advocate General indicating that the subject matter of the Bill is within the legislative competence of the District Council in terms of Para 3 (h), 3 (i) and 3 (j) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the approval of the Governor was conveyed for introduction of the Bill in the District Council which does not amount to assent of the Bill.

This was inform by the Principal Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya.