Amendment to save PS

SHILLONG, APR 13: The state government on Wednesday approved the Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016, which sought to delete the clause which has equated the rank of the parliamentary secretary to that of minister of state.

Addressing newsmen after the cabinet meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said, “The proposal will be sent to the Governor for promulgation of the ordinance.”

This came following the appointment of as many as 18 parliamentary secretaries in addition to 12 ministers which is seen as contravention of the Constitution (Ninety-First Amendment) Act, 2003, which clearly restricted the size of a ministry in small states like Meghalaya to twelve.

Stating that there are two amendments which were proposed by the department, Tynsong said, “Section 5 of the Act which states-the parliamentary secretary shall be of the rank and status of a minister of state will be deleted. Similarly section 6 and section 6 (A) will also be amended.”

On the other hand while reacting to a query, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said, “We are looking at our legislative responsibility and ensuring legislative measures by the government for consideration of the legislature which do not in any way leave any space for any interpretation vis-à-vis the overall provision of the constitution.”

“This particular act has already come into force since 2005 and having received the consent it did not have any conflict with any provision of the constitution,” Sangma said.

He added, “Nevertheless we felt few clauses which leaves some scope for different interpretation, we will try to omit them and that is the proposal.”

Earlier, Jirang Independent legislator Lamboklang Mylliem had decided to quit as the Parliamentary Secretary in-charge Taxation citing – “the existing rules needs to be respected”.

While stating that in fact there is no need for parliamentary secretary to resign, Sangma said that he is yet to officially respond to the resignation letter submitted by Mylliem.

He informed that he would soon meet Mylliem to discuss on the issue as he reiterated that the government is used to ignoring resignation letters.-By Our Reporter