SHILLONG, NOV 20: Governor Ganga Prasad is seeking the opinion of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a representation demanding disqualification of legislators who held the post of parliamentary secretaries in the state.
This was after a petition was submitted by Madal Sumer, a resident of Panaliar, Jowai in West Jaintia Hills District before the governor on November 13 seeking disqualification of as many as 17 members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Sumer submitted the petition after the Meghalaya High Court on November 9, has held “invalid” the Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2005.
The Meghalaya high court, in its judgment, left to the governor to take a call whether legislators who held the post of parliamentary secretaries should face disqualification as members of the Assembly.
“The representation was brought to the attention of the governor and a decision was made by him to seek the opinion of the Election Commission of India. Based on the decision of the governor, the matter was referred to the Election Commission of India, as required under the Article 192 (2) of the Constitution of India on November 16. Therefore the matter is not pending with the office of the governor of Meghalaya,” a deputy secretary to the governor of Meghalaya said in a statement.
The MLAs who had earlier held the post of parliamentary secretaries were Samuel Sangma, Limison D. Sangma, Winnerson D. Sangma, Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem, Cherak W. Momin, Brigady Marak, Sengnam Marak, Rophul S. Marak, Robinus Syngkon, Michael T. Sangma, Justine Dkhar, Ashahel D. Shira, Stephanson Mukhim, Noverfield R. Marak, and Marthon Sangma.
Comingone Ymbon and Celestine Lyngdoh who have been both recently been appointed ministers also held the post of parliamentary secretaries.
By Our Reporter
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