of Manipur People Bill, 2015; Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 were unanimously passed by members of the House today.
The tribal student organizations claim that the three bills overlap Article 371 C of the Indian Constitution and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act, 1947.
As per recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly adopted during its meeting on August 27, the last day of the two emergency sittings in continuation of the 11th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly began at 11 am with Speaker Th Lokeshwar presiding.
During the first business of the House, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also the leader of the House announced businesses of today`™s session.
While in the second business, CM Ibobi representing the government tabled the much-talked about Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015 (Bill No 16 of 2015) to be discussed and passed in the House.
The bill was passed without any argument both from the ruling and opposition Members present in the House.
The second bill passed in the House, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 (Bill No 17 of 2015) was tabled by Revenue Minister Th Debendra Singh.
The bill was also passed without any opposition from the House Members.
Whereas the third bill, the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 (Bill No 18 of 2015) was tabled by PHED and Labour & Employment Minister I Hemochandra for its discussion and passage in the House.
None of the ruling and opposition members present in the House voiced remarks on the passage of the bill.
Notably, of the three bills passed, the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015 is a prototype of Inner Line Permit System.
The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Bill, 2015 was passed as Seventh Amendment while the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed as Second Amendment.
The three bills unanimously passed by the House today were those bills agreed between the government and Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) during a meeting convened on August 25 wherein CM Ibobi Singh and members of the government appointed Drafting Committee attended.
Mention may be made here that the government had passed the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 on March 16 last acting on the JCILPS-led mass movement demanding implementation of ILPS or equivalent act in the State to protect its indigenous people.
The bill faced stiff opposition from JCILPS and many sections citing absence of the five points adopted during a public convention. Governor of Manipur Dr Syed Ahmed kept the bill reserved for consideration of the President of India.
Following the developments, a special session of the Assembly was convened on July 15 last during which the bill was withdrawn.
