SHILLONG: The members of the opposition staged a walkout from the house on the concluding day of the summer session of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) after the Chairman denied the leader of the opposition permission to speak on the Council’s Service Rules.
As the leader of the opposition, Titosstarwell Chyne, was about to take part in the discussion regarding the Service Rules, the Chairman directed him to resume his seat, stating that he would not allow a debate since prior permission had not been obtained.
Objecting to the Chairman’s ruling, Chyne argued that depriving him of the opportunity to speak amounted to rejecting the rights of the elected representatives to participate in the proceedings of the House.
An agitated Chyne further questioned why the Executive Committee (EC) was afraid of a discussion despite having the strength of numbers on its side, adding that the opposition was prepared to sit in the House until 8:00 PM if necessary.
In his defense, the Chairman of the KHADC clarified that he was not outrightly rejecting a discussion, but explained that his decision was based on the fact that the leader of the opposition had only written the word “Delete” on the requisition slip for permission to speak on the Service Rules.
He stated that the rules did not permit the Chair to grant permission based on such a slip, maintaining that the opposition leader should have explicitly written that he wished to participate in the debate.
The Chairman then put the matter to a vote, asking members to stand to show their assent or dissent regarding the introduction of the amendment.
Following the head count, the Chairman announced that since the majority voted against allowing the discussion, his final ruling was to deny permission for the debate to proceed.
