Shillong, Jun 24: Leader of the Opposition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Titosstarwell Chyne, has reacted with shock at the attack he was subjected to by KHADC Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh yesterday.
Lyngdoh had accused Chyne – a former CEM – of treating the new executive committee as babies and said that the latter’s criticisms of the KHADC’s Service Rules 2026 showed arrogance and a lack of respect for the EC.
Speaking today, Chyne said that he did not expect such a statement from the CEM.
“If we (the opposition) move any amendments and I ask for deletions, it does not mean that the bill cannot be debated anymore,” Chyne said. “What we intended when we brought the amendment is to discuss and debate.”
The Sohra MDC said that the KHADC Chairman, Strong Pillar Kharjana, had first admitted the amendments but later denied Chyne’s right to move the amendment motion. The opposition then walked out of the house in protest.
Chyne explained that the amendment was moved because the opposition wanted to address what it felt were lacunae in the service rules. If members of the house are not satisfied with any bill, it is usually referred to a select committee.
Moving amendments and calling for debate should be a normal part of KHADC business.
“This is the beauty of democracy where we as public representatives elected by people can debate in the house,” Chyne said.
Questioning the ruling benches is part of the job of the opposition and the Chairman of the KHADC is meant to give a month’s time to submit questions.
Chyne said that the purpose of putting up questions during a session of the house is to get information of the activities of the EC so that the opposition knows how the different departments are functioning.
“When we question the EC, it does not mean that we are trying to find fault with the EC but we look for information since we are not part of the EC,” the opposition leader added.
