House okays MRVTMW Bill withdrawal, CM proposes new Bill within 3 months
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 15 2015 : The Manipur Legislative Assembly, in a special sitting held today agreed to withdraw the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers (MRVTMW) Bill 2015 .

Meanwhile, Chief Minister O Ibobi has called upon the House to draft and pass a Bill which can effectively safeguard the common interests of indigenous people within the next three months.

Ibobi stated that the MRVTMW Bill was passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 16 this year and it was submitted to the Governor on March 20 .

The Governor referred the Bill to the Ministry of Home Affairs on June 23 for consideration with the President of India.

The Bill would be withdrawn as majority of the people are sceptical about the its effectiveness to protect indigenous communities of the State.

Manipur Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister O Ibobi

In its place, a new Bill would be introduced and passed after due deliberation in the House, said Ibobi.

"We have condoled the untimely demise of Ananda Higher Secondary School student Sapam Robinhood in police action the midst of intense agitation", Ibobi stated.

The State Government decided to withdraw the Bill as it assumed that people's collective wish is its first priority and this conviction was reinforced by the massive support given to the demand of JCILPS.

It took the Government five/six months to prepare the Bill in consultation with the all political parties' committee, JCILPS and other experts.

The demand of JCILPS to adopt 1951 as base year and prohibition on owning land by non-local people who came to Manipur after 1951 is understandable but it would not be any cakewalk.

The Government worked to set up a directorate of registration as it believed that there would be alternative options to non-Manipuris coming to the State.

If such a directorate is set up, it would be mandatory for all non-locals who are staying in hotels or private houses as tenants to submit their particulars to the directorate.

The MRVTMW Bill was passed to experiment the effectiveness of monitoring non-local people through the directorate of registration but the State Cabinet decided to withdraw the same Bill in accordance to the popular demand, Ibobi stated.

He then appealed to all Members of the House to give suggestions which would not contravene existing laws and the Constitution.

Each and every Member may give a signed draft Bill so that they cannot run away later, added the Chief Minister.

Yes, some Members suggested that the Bill should be referred to a select committee rather than passing it in haste.

But the Government was of the view that the Bill can be amended later once it is given consent by the Governor instead of referring it to the select committee as it would further delay the Bill, he added.

There were instances where the West Bengal Government passed and withdrew two Bills before they were given assent by the Governor/President.

There were no objections from the Government when the two Bills were withdrawn.

Ibobi appealed to one and all to help the Government prepare a Bill which can protect the indigenous people and at the same time does not contravene the Constitution.

Political parties which can help the State Government lobby with the Centre may give suggestions without any reservation instead of putting the entire responsibility on the Government.

If they can persuade the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, it would be a windfall for the State Government and they may take full credit for their accomplishment, Ibobi stated quite candidly.

The only concern for the Government is fulfilment of the people's collective aspiration.

All stakeholders would be consulted stage by stage in a very transparent manner.

The Government would like to pass a new Bill as soon as possible but it demands collective efforts and joint consultation among legal experts, all political parties, JCILPS and the Government.

The matter also merits consultation with Constitutional experts of the Supreme Court.

He then called upon all to work together so that a new Bill is passed within three months after the MRVTMW Bill is withdrawn.

If the Bill preparation can be completed earlier, there is no need to wait for three months.

A special session of the Assembly can be convened to pass the new Bill.

As such, today's session should be adjourned sine die rather than proroguing it, suggested the leader of the House.

Even though the Chief Minister's motion was passed unanimously by the House, none of the Members made any comment.