ITANAGAR, Sep 4: Three key State Government bills were tabled in the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the four-day monsoon session on Monday.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, also Minister in-charge of Law, Legislative and Justice introduced the ‘Arunachal Pradesh Court Fees Bill, 2023’ in order to have the state’s own legislation on court fees.
Currently, the Court Fees Act, 1870, which is a pre-Independence and pre-Constitution law, is being followed by all courts of Arunachal Pradesh as per the Assam Court Fees (Amendment) Act, 1972, since Arunachal Pradesh does not have High Court of its own.
Recently, the Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Justice has directed all the States to enact their own State Acts on Court Fees as the Court Fees Act, 1870 is being proposed to be repealed by the Central Government.
“Once the Court Fees Act, 1870 is repealed by Government of India, Arunachal Pradesh will have no Statute left for being implemented in various Courts of the State. That apart, enactment of Court Fees Act is expected to generate revenue for the State Government,” said the statement of objects and reasons of the bill.
Another important bill tabled in the House by Town Planning Minister Kamlung Mosang was the Arunachal Pradesh Airport Area, Planning and Development Authority Bill, 2023, which envisages to constitute the ‘AP Airport Area Planning and Development Authority’ to oversee the development works to be carried out in airport areas.
“The State of Arunachal Pradesh was not well connected by air till the recent past. However, with the construction of Hollongi Donyi Polo Green(field) Airport, a new chapter in the air communication of Arunachal Pradesh has been opened.
With the opening of said Airport, tourists from within India and overseas are expected to arrive in the State. Therefore, development of the airport along with the adjoining areas as per international standards is of utmost importance. For the orderly planning and development it is required to be regulated by a dedicated team of manpower. Hence, the Bill envisages to constitute Arunachal Pradesh Airport Area Planning and Development Authority to oversee the development works to be carried out in Airport Areas,” the statement of objects and reasons of the bill said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Tax, Excise and Narcotics Chowna Mein introduced the Arunachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The proposed legislation, by way of amendment of as many as 26 clauses of the current Act, will enable administration of taxation under GST in a better and efficient manner, read the bill statement.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Finance, Planning & Investment, Power & NCR Chowna Mein presented the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on ‘Social, Economic, General and Revenue sector’ for the year ended 31st March, 2022 relating to the Govt of Arunachal Pradesh (Report No. 2 of 2023).
The House also saw adoption of the 10th report of the Business Advisory Committee presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bamang Felix, and the Assembly Secretary Kago Habung reporting the Governor’s assent to five important bills passed by the Assembly during the previous session.
The bills are the Arunachal Pradesh Goods Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Arunachal Pradesh Protection of Drinking Water Catchment Areas Bill, 2023, the Assam Frontier (Administration of Justice) Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Arunachal Pradesh Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2023, and the Arunachal Pradesh Appropriation (No, 2) Bill, 2023.
Meanwhile, the much-hyped private members’ bill, ‘Arunachal Pradesh Monogamy Election Eligibility Bill, 2023’, which was to be brought in by Congress member Ninong Ering today, did not come up for transaction.
“The private members’ bill, which was included in today’s list of business, would be taken up as a private members’ resolution, as requested by the mover, at a later date,” announced the Speaker before adjourning the House for the day.
All-women panel of chairmen
The State Assembly on Monday witnessed Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona announcing an all-women ‘panel of chairmen’ for the current session as a mark of tribute to women.
The panel comprised of women legislators Jummum Ete Deori from Lekang constituency, Dasanglu Pul (Hayuliang), Chakat Aboh (Khonsa West) and Tsering Lhamu from Lumla in Tawang district.
“It’s a humble attempt to empower the women,” Sona said.