SHILLONG, MAR 29: Parliamentary secretary in-charge taxation Lamboklang Mylliemngap tendered his resignation to chief minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday as a pre-emptive measure from being disqualified for holding the said post, which allegedly is violation of the Constitution of India and the Manual on Rules of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly & Secretariat.
The sudden resignation of Mylliemngap has stunned political circle and if the buzz are to be believed, the Mukul led MUA II Congress led coalition government is heading for a crisis as it has 18 parliamentary sectaries in its fold.
Mylliemngap after submitting his resignation informed, “After having gone through the rules (Meghalaya Legislative Assembly & Secretariat) I decided to resign from the post.” He said the existing rules should be respected.
If what Mylliemngap said holds water then the state government has willfully violated the Constitution of India by appointing parliamentary secretaries.
The appointment of parliamentary secretaries is alleged to be against the Article 164 (1) of the Constitution (Ninety-First Amendment) Act, 2003 which related to restricting the size of the council of ministers.
In the Constitution (Ninety-First Amendment) act, 2003, it states, “The size of the Council of Ministers in the Union Government and in a State Government should not be more than fifteen per cent of the total number of Members of the Lower House of the Parliament/State Legislature (the minimum strength of Ministers in case of smaller States being twelve).”
Moreover, the Manual on Rules of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly & Secretariat has also defines that the parliamentary secretaries are also equivalent to minister’ posts.
The rules stated-“Minister means a member of the council of Ministers, a Minister of State, a Deputy Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary.”
Meanwhile, a senior Congress leader, on request of anonymity, admitted that the present situation may put the government in “trouble”.
He, however, said that the matter is at the moment being consulted with legal experts for their views on the fate of the 18 parliamentary secretaries whether their appointment is constitutional or not.- By Our Reporter
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