Shillong, Jun 19: Opposition MDCs in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) staged a walkout from the house today after Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana declined to permit a discussion on the council’s Service Rules 2026.
The walkout occurred on the final day of the KHADC’s summer session when Leader of the Opposition Titostarwell Chyne sought to raise the newly tabled service rules.
The Chairman said a discussion was unnecessary because Chyne had already submitted a written amendment detailing the provisions he wanted removed from the proposed rules. According to the Kharjana, the opposition leader’s objections were clearly stated in the amendment, making further debate redundant.
Objecting to the decision, Chyne said the opposition would leave the house, arguing there was little reason to stay if members were not allowed to express their views. He maintained that the proposed service rules did not safeguard the welfare and interests of council employees and said he wanted to point out what he termed discrepancies in the provisions.
Chyne added that disallowing debate denied members their right to raise concerns on matters before the house. He also questioned why the executive committee, despite its numerical majority, was unwilling to permit discussion, stating that the opposition was ready to continue deliberations as long as needed.
The Chairman, however, stood by his ruling, reiterating that the issues raised by the opposition leader were already on record through his written amendment and did not require further discussion.
