The House met at 10.00 a.m. with the Hon'ble Speaker in the Chair.

1. QUESTIONS.

Starred Questions from 55 to 88 were disposed of.
Unstarred Questions No.2,3, & 4 were disposed of.

2. PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2006-2007.
The Budget Estimates for the year 2006-2007 was presented to the House by the Finance Minister Dr. Donkupar Roy.

3. PRESENTATION OF THE VOTE-ON-ACCOUNT BUDGET. FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF
THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2006-2007.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Finance presented the Vote-on-Account Budget for the first quarter of the Financial year 2006-2007.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Finance moved :

"That an amount not exceeding Rs.670,40,32,250 be granted to the Governor in advance to defray certain charges in respect of different departments during the first quarter of the financial year beginning 1st April, 2006 under grants shown in the On-Account Budget 2006-2007."

The motion was carried and the amount not exceeding Rs.670,40,32,250 was passed.

4. THE MEGHALAYA APPROPRIATION (VOTE-ON-ACCOUNT) BILL, 2006.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Finance introduced the Meghalaya Appropriation (Vote-on-Account) Bill, 2006.
The motion was carried and leave was granted to introduce the Bill.
(The Secretary read out the title of the Bill).

5. SUSPENSION OF RULE

Shri J. D. Rymbai, Minister in-charge Parliamentary Affairs moved:
"That the second proviso to sub-rule (C) of Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in its application to the Meghalaya Appropriation (Vote-on-Account) Bill, 2006 be suspended for the time being in so far as the rule requires circulation of the Bill four days in advance before the motion for consideration may be moved".
(The motion was carried and the Rule was suspended for the time being).

6. THE MEGHALAYA APPROPRIATION (VOTE-ON-ACCOUNT) BILL, 2006.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge Finance moved the Meghalaya Appropriation (Vote-on-Account) Bill, 2006 be taken into consideration.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister, in-charge Finance moved that the Meghalaya Appropriation (Vote-on-Account) Bill, 2006 be passed.

(The motion was carried and the Meghalaya Appropriation (Vote-on-Account) Bill 2006 was passed).

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister incharge Finance moved that the Meghalaya Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Bill, 2006.

Shri Manas Chaudhuri moved the following amendments to the Bill :-

(1) In Section 2 in sub-para (C) after the word "Financial Establishment" insert the words "based in
Meghalaya and duly registered with competent authority of the State Government"

(2) In Section 4, and Section 9 in the explanation appearing under Sub- clause(7) and sub-clause (f) respectively, delete the word " Manager".

Initiating the discussion, the mover was apprehensive that depositors may be duped by unscrupulous company, and wanted that the company should be registered with the competent authority to make it easier for the Government to take action against them.

With regard to the word "Manager" wanted the Government to remove the word from the Bill because for no fault of this was pursued relentlessly by the Police during investigation.

Shri R. G. Lyngdoh - opposed the mover.

In reply to this, the Deputy Chief Minister said that irrespective whether they are registered outside or within the State, the Bill should be allowed to be passed in the present form in order to protect the depositors.

In addition, the Chief Minister was in line with the replies of the Deputy Chief Minister and, if need be, if the Bill requires to be amended, it can be done so in the next session.

Having been satisfied with the replies, with leave of the House, the amendments to the Bill were withdrawn.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister moved that the Meghalaya Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Bill, 2006 be passed.

(The motion was carried and the Meghalaya Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Bill, 2006 was passed).

Shri J. D. Rymbai, Minister incharge Parliamentary affairs moved that the Meghalaya (Members' Pension) amendment Bill, 2005 be taken into consideration.

(The Bill was taken out for consideration and since there was no amendment, it was passed by the House).

Shri J. D. Rymbai, Minister incharge Parliamentary Affairs moved that the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya (members' Pension) Amendment Bill, 2005 be passed.

(The motion was carried and the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya (members' Pension) Amendment Bill, 2005 was passed).

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Education moved that the Meghalaya Board of School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2005.
Shri Edmund K. Sangma, drew the attention of the Minister to Rule 66 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business and requested the Government that status quo should be maintained to avoid any law and order in Garo Hills.

Shri R. G. Lyngdoh.}
Shri P. T. Sawkmie.}
Shri Paul Lyngdoh.}
Shri Prestone Tynsong } Presented their own views and in doing so, were in favour in passing this Bill.
Shri P. M. Syiem.}
Shri R. L. Tariang.}
Shri T. C. Lyngdoh.}
Smti Irene Lyngdoh.}

Shri J. M. Marak - was in favour of status quo.

Shri B. G. Momin - A Committee of the Garo Hills Legislators Forum was formed and in one of the meetings was a thorough discussion on this MBOSE issue. The views of this forum was presented to the Select Committee whereby they were accommodated.

The Hon'ble Deputy Speaker, after hearing the different views from all sections, moved that the Meghalaya Board of School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2005.
The Bill was taken for consideration and since there was no amendment it was passed by the House.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister moved that the Meghalaya Board of School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2005 be passed.

(The motion was carried and the Meghalaya Board of School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2005 was passed.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister incharge Finance beg leave to introduce the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget management Bill, 2006.
(The motion was carried and the Bill was passed).

(b) Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister beg leave to introduce the Bill.
(The motion was carried and leave was granted to introduce the Bill)
(The Secretary read the title of the Bill).

Shri Kyrmen Susngi Minister incharge Co-operation laid the Annual Report and Accounts of the Meghalaya State Warehousing Corporation for the year 2003-2004.

The House stood adjourned till Monday, the 27th March, 2006 at 10.00 a.m.

Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.