Imphal, October 06: The State Assembly today passed two Bills which were tabled by the Treasury.

The two Bills which have been approved by the Assembly during its session today are 'The Manipur Compulsory Registration of Marriage, Bill, 2008' and 'The Manipur Panchayati Raj (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2008' .

The Manipur Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2008 was tabled by the Government in the last Assembly session.

However, during the course of discussing the Bill for passing, the Opposition MLAs who were of the opinion that the term 'compulsory registration' is vague and that there is no penal provisions insisted that the Bill should be referred to the Select Committee of the House for necessary rectification.

Accordingly, it was referred to the Selection Committee.

The Select Committee tabled the Bill for discussion in the House today.

As Social Welfare Minister N Loken moved the motion for passing the Bill, Opposition MLA and Select Committee member O Joy suggested that even if the Bill has been tabled for passing after a thorough study by the Select Committee, every member should be given a chance to express their opinion on any possible loophole before its final passing by the House.

However, as none of the members came up with any observation, the Bill was passed unanimously by the House.

After passing 'The Manipur Compulsory Registration of Marriage, Bill, 2008', Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allauddin Khan moved the motion on discussion of The Manipur Panchayati Raj (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2008 for passing.

The Bill proposes to amend the provisions of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act which allow the members to raise no-confidence motion against the Adhyaksha of Zilla Parishad within a time span of 6 months and extend it to 1 year in view of the frequent disruption caused to implementation of various developmental schemes.

Taking part in the discussion, Opposition MLA O Joy observed that although there is no objection to the extension of the time period for raising no-confidence motion against Adhyaksha from 6 months to 1 year, there would not be any led up in the activities of the members to shift allegiance and cause disruption in the functioning of the Zilla Parishad until and unless a special provision has been incorporated in consultation with experts at the Government level to annul moving of no confidence motion for the second or the third time.

Opposition MLA Radhabinod Koijam suggested that instead of 'honorarium', the term salary should be used in the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat so as to make it on par with the District Council.

MLA RK Anand proposed that instead of a allowing to move a no-confidence motion by a simple majority, two-third majority should be made norm for raising the motion.

MLA Dr Ng Bijoy observed that if the Adhyaksha carries out their duties with ability, skill and transparency, there would be no question of toppling.

MLA Morung Makunga maintained that extension of the time period from 6 months to one 1 year would only pave way for corruption.

MLA Dr I Ibohalbi suggested that party system should be introduced in the election of the Zilla Parishad members so that they could be disqualified in case of misconduct.

In his reply to the discussion, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allauddin Khan explained that the bill has been proposed in the House to put a check on moving no-confidence motion indiscriminately without considering the activities of the Adhyaksha.

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