By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Secretary, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, has said Mrs Tellis, wife of the State Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope, has been functioning as a Special Assistant to her husband since November 1, 2010, which is permissible under law.
Reacting to the report “Speaker’s wife travels as Special Assistant”, (ST, April 9), the Assembly official in statement on Tuesday said “Her appointment is co-terminous with the tenure of the Speaker.”
Appointment of wife or a close relative as personal assistant, private secretary and special assistant is usual even in the case of MPs as per entitlement and the appointment are co-terminous with the tenure of MPs also,” the statement said adding that report stating that Mrs Tellis was appointed overnight as special assistant was incorrect.