Some members absent from House
A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, March 16: Despite the opposition lamenting that they are not allotted sufficient time to take up relevant issues in Assembly quite a few members was absent today.
On Monday, NPP legislator, James K Sangma was absent from the house wherein he was expected to move cut motion on 10 supplementary demands for grants and supplementary appropriation for the year 2014-2015. Sangma had also tabled a zero hour notice on the brutal killing of four cops in South Garo Hills by militants last week.
Even opposition leader and UDP legislator, Dr Donkupar Roy was absent from the Assembly session today. Dr Roy had five queries listed for the Question Hour.
Later speaking to reporters, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma said that members (legislators) have privileges and it was up to them to utilise it.
“During the Assembly session members have an opportunity to take up issues and address the concerns of the stakeholders,” Dr Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said that on one hand the opposition tables a resolution for no-confidence against the Assembly Speaker for not giving them enough time while on the other hand the time given to them is not utilise.
It may be mentioned that last week the opposition filed a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker AT Mondal for not allotting sufficient time to it to discuss important issues during the Budget session.
The letter relating to the no- confidence motion submitted jointly by James Sangma, Witting Mawsor (HSPDP), John Leslee Sangma (Independent), and Jemino Mawthoh (UDP) expresses their lack of confidence on the Speaker of the House vis-a-vis Article 179 (c) of the Constitution of India and rule 135 of the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Meghalaya legislative Assembly.
Rule 135 of the Assembly speaks about the resolution and no-confidence motion for removal of Speaker and Deputy Speaker under article 179 of the constitution.
The no-confidence motion will be taken up for discussion on March 25 the fil day of the budget session.