KHADC opp seek Tynsong’s intervention over tabling of ‘unconstitutional budget’

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 24, 2025

A delegation of opposition bench in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Tuesday sought intervention of the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA) into the alleged forceful introduction of an “unconstitutional budget” by the Voice of the People Party (VPP)-led Executive Committee (EC) during the council’s summer session.

According to the opposition, the KHADC chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana had created a precedence by calling for voting for tabling of the full budget after the opposition raised objection and sought rectification against the EC’s decision to include a sub-head entitled “Supplementary Expenditure 2024-25” in the main budget, which they claimed is illegal and unconstitutional.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne said, “We have met the deputy chief minister to apprise him of the incident that had taken place in the House pertaining to tabling of an unconstitutional budget. The present EC has failed to adhere to AD rules and the constitution.”

Chyne further stated, “We staged a walkout in protest against the tabling of the budget without following the rules. Let me also remind you that to introduce the budget, you do not need to vote. Voting is required on when we move the demands of grants, if there are cut motions and if we do not remove the cut motions.”

The opposition leader highlighted that the chairman’s decision to put the matter to vote was unprecedented and against the rules. 

“Surprisingly, today the chairman has put the matter to vote, which has never happened in the history of the district council and as per rule 115 (of AD Rules), which stated that the CEM or EM in-charge can introduce the budget. Therefore, the question of voting will not arise,” Chyne said.

Asked, the leader of opposition said that the deputy chief minister has given patient hearing to the delegation. 

“We have discussed the issue. He (Tynsong) has given us a lot of suggestions but I cannot disclosed what they are as they are confidential at this stage,” he stated.