Ranjit slams Edn Minister’s 'ignorance'
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 26 : CLP deputy leader K Ranjit has slammed Law Minister Th Basantakumar’s alleged ignorance about Article 174 of the Indian Constitution (First Amendment) Act 1951 which clearly states that all elected State Assembly should hold at least three sessions in a year.
Speaking to media persons at his Babupara quarters today, Ranjit said that the amended Article 174 came into effect from June 18, 1951 but Law Minister Basantakumar cited Article 174 of the unamended Constitution of 1950 and was claiming that there should be only two sessions of State Assemblies in a year.
By making such a false claim, the Law Minister was trying to portray CLP leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi as nescient of the Constitution, Ranjit decried.
Rule number 17 of chapter 4 of the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business clearly lays that the State Assembly should hold at least three sessions viz; budget session, autumn session and winter session in a year and there should be not less than 50 sittings in a year, he said.
It is rather unfortunate that the State’s Law Minister has no knowledge of the Article 174 of the Indian Constitution (First Amendment, 1951), he added.
As the State’s Law Minister, Th Basantakumar should have known that the Indian Constitution has been amended, he said.
As per the norms and rules of the parliamentary system of democracy, the Congress party was asking the Government to summon the State Assembly session so as to explore a solution to the 19 months old Manipur crisis, Ranjit continued.
It is rather surprising that Th Basantakumar was saying the Government is unable to hold the State Assembly session on account of the violent crisis, he remarked.
The Law Minister’s words indicate that the Government has no intention to discuss the issue in the State Assembly, he asserted.
The Congress party has been asking the Government as per the Constitution’s provisions to convene State Assembly session so as to discuss the violent crisis, large scale displacement, the murder of three women and three children at Jiribam, disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu from 57th Mountain Division Headquarters, Leimakhong and the people’s suffering, Ranjit said.
He said, “People are now living in a very insecure atmosphere. Let us debate the issue in the House and explore a solution.”
Responding to CLP leader O Ibobi’s call for an Assembly session, the Deputy Secretary, Law Department issued a press note and claimed that the statements made by the MPCC at a press meet on the matter were false.
The press note was a clear case of breach of privilege and contempt of the House, Ranjit said.
The MPCC has been consulting legal experts and considering what action could be taken up regarding the press note issued by the Law Department, he said.
Former Speaker Th Lokeshwar appealed to incumbent Speaker Th Satyabrata to convene the State Assembly session by issuing a short notice.
MLA Okram Surjakumar was also present at the press meet.
IMPHAL, Dec 26 : CLP deputy leader K Ranjit has slammed Law Minister Th Basantakumar’s alleged ignorance about Article 174 of the Indian Constitution (First Amendment) Act 1951 which clearly states that all elected State Assembly should hold at least three sessions in a year.
Speaking to media persons at his Babupara quarters today, Ranjit said that the amended Article 174 came into effect from June 18, 1951 but Law Minister Basantakumar cited Article 174 of the unamended Constitution of 1950 and was claiming that there should be only two sessions of State Assemblies in a year.
By making such a false claim, the Law Minister was trying to portray CLP leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi as nescient of the Constitution, Ranjit decried.
Rule number 17 of chapter 4 of the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business clearly lays that the State Assembly should hold at least three sessions viz; budget session, autumn session and winter session in a year and there should be not less than 50 sittings in a year, he said.
It is rather unfortunate that the State’s Law Minister has no knowledge of the Article 174 of the Indian Constitution (First Amendment, 1951), he added.
As the State’s Law Minister, Th Basantakumar should have known that the Indian Constitution has been amended, he said.
As per the norms and rules of the parliamentary system of democracy, the Congress party was asking the Government to summon the State Assembly session so as to explore a solution to the 19 months old Manipur crisis, Ranjit continued.
It is rather surprising that Th Basantakumar was saying the Government is unable to hold the State Assembly session on account of the violent crisis, he remarked.
The Law Minister’s words indicate that the Government has no intention to discuss the issue in the State Assembly, he asserted.
The Congress party has been asking the Government as per the Constitution’s provisions to convene State Assembly session so as to discuss the violent crisis, large scale displacement, the murder of three women and three children at Jiribam, disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu from 57th Mountain Division Headquarters, Leimakhong and the people’s suffering, Ranjit said.
He said, “People are now living in a very insecure atmosphere. Let us debate the issue in the House and explore a solution.”
Responding to CLP leader O Ibobi’s call for an Assembly session, the Deputy Secretary, Law Department issued a press note and claimed that the statements made by the MPCC at a press meet on the matter were false.
The press note was a clear case of breach of privilege and contempt of the House, Ranjit said.
The MPCC has been consulting legal experts and considering what action could be taken up regarding the press note issued by the Law Department, he said.
Former Speaker Th Lokeshwar appealed to incumbent Speaker Th Satyabrata to convene the State Assembly session by issuing a short notice.
MLA Okram Surjakumar was also present at the press meet.