The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), in connection with a news item on ADC Bill 202 published by a local daily, has stated that the intention of state government to refer the HAC recommended bill to a Select Committee after being introduced in the Assembly directly contradicts the ‘Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business’ in Manipur Legislative Assembly and breaks all legislative procedures.
The news report, as claimed to be from a reliable source, is unprecedented and undermines the constitutional provisions mandated by the Presidential Order of 20th June 1972, ATSUM stated on Wednesday.
It stated that the legislative procedures laid down in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Manipur Legislative Assembly should not be overlooked while a bill is being introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
The HAC recommended ‘The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021’ contains the provisions of the scheduled matters, and referring it to a Select Committee after introduction in the Assembly will tantamount to gross violation of the constitution of India, it maintained.
With regard to any of the scheduled matters falling within the Second Schedule of the 1972 presidential proclamation, it is mandatory that in the introduction of any bill, the introducing member, immediately after introduction, refers it only to the Hill Areas Committee for further deliberation, ATSUM stated. Only after the final vetting by the HAC will the bill be taken up for discussion by the house, it added.
