Speaker rejects adjournment motion on graft

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope on Tuesday disallowed an adjournment motion on the issue of corruption proposed by the Opposition Leader Conrad Sangma.

Soon after the Question Hour, Sangma brought to the notice of the Speaker the submission of his adjournment motion, quoting the relevant rules of the conduct of the business of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

Without directly referring to the alleged manipulation in the appointment of government teachers as revealed by the CBI report, Sangma said there were instances of corruption in high places in Meghalaya.

However, quoting Rule 56 (2) of the conduct of the business in the Assembly, the Speaker said the text of the adjournment motion proposed by the Opposition leader was not specific as it was general in nature.

The Speaker also suggested that the member could either take up the matter in the form of a Zero Hour notice or call attention motion.

“The members can also deliberate on the matter when discussion on supplementary demand for grants is taken up,” the Speaker said.

However, Sangma said since the matter was of urgent public importance, the adjournment motion should be allowed to be taken up on Tuesday. He also added that if the matter is taken up in a different form like Zero Hour notice or call attention motion, there would not be any scope for proper discussion.

Echoing a similar view, the NCP legislator James Sangma said, “If the adjournment motion is not allowed, there will be a perception that we are also hand in glove with corrupt elements”.

The Speaker, while admitting that the matter is an issue of public importance, however, said since he cannot break the rule, the adjournment motion cannot be taken up.