Sarma said at a presser in Guwahati that the onus was on the cabinet to decide whether to bring the requisite Billin the assembly during the scheduled session in September or next January.
“We want to give some time to the MLAs to debate the Bill before tabling it.”
Citing the report of an expert committee headed by a retired high court judge, the CM said the crucial difference between other state legislation and the one proposed against polygamy was in the process of the bill transitioning into law.
“The only point they (the committee) raised is that the final assent on the Bill has to be by the President instead of the governor, whose seal is on other state laws.”
On whether the BJP-led government had taken into consideration the opinions of other political parties and various organisations, Sarma said, “We have had a finger on the pulse, going by which people from all strata of society welcome the move. There is nothing to oppose it. There is no problem in taking the opinions of the opposition and other organisations if the cabinet thinks it is needed. We have time.”
Opposition parties in the state have slammed the government’s proposal as a diversionary and communal one, more so at a time when the Law Commission is still taking feedback on the UCC.
The four-member committee on the proposed anti-polygamy law was constituted on May 12.