Shillong, Jan 22: Former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Hispreaching Son Shylla on Wednesday said the state government has committed a mistake by declaring that the KHADC is presently without a CEM, even as he stressed the need to respect the democratic principle that once majority is lost, those in majority should get the chance to be in power.

“It is totally wrong on the part of the chief minister and deputy chief minister to declare that the Council is without a CEM,” Shylla, who was MLA and MDC of Nongkrem constituency, said in a statement.

His statement came in view of the ongoing stalemate in the KHADC and the claims of the state government that the election of Latiplang Kharkongor as CEM is yet to be notified.

He said Rule 20 (1) of the AD Rules, 1951 clearly stated that – “The CEM shall be elected by the district council and the other Executive Member shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the CEM from amongst the members of the district council.”

Stating that the CEM elected by the council does not require the approval of the Governor, Shylla said as per Rule 22 (2), the council will only have to submit a report to the Governor on the election of the CEM within 48 hours after the Executive Committee has collapsed.

“If the Governor is not informed within this period, it is for him to appoint the CEM along with one or two Executive Members, but it is not for the Governor to approve the election of a CEM,” he said.

“I have been elected as CEM twice and I never had to wait for the approval of the Governor but from the council hall, I was being escorted by members to the CEM’s office chamber to start my work, and it takes only within an hour after summoning the Secretary of the EC and officers, to send the list of EMs to the Governor. The need to inform the Governor through the District Council Affairs department is just by convention but the rules (20 (1) or 22 (2) stands,” Shylla said.

The former CEM further stated there is a need for the KHADC to get a full-fledged executive committee before Febraury and that the move to impose an Administrator Rule will not look nice as it is the legitimate rights of the MDC to rule the Council.

“The first session of the year as per Rule 36 (3) should commence in March, and February is the month where the EC will have to prepare and bring many issues before the House including the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018, which requires to be again forwarded to the Governor for his assent after the House was able to reply to seven queries, which the Governor had sent along with his message to the KHADC last year,” he said.

Expressing concern as the KHADC is yet to constitute its full EC, Shylla said as per reports, it seems there are only 12 MDCs with Kharkongor while the UDA has claimed to have the support of 16 members.

“It is for the CEM and the Chairman of KHADC to break this deadlock as per rule. But there is a need to respect the democratic principle that once majority is lost, it is incumbent to pave way for those who are in majority to be in power,” he said.