SHILLONG: The CSWO has sought the intervention of Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan to disqualify as many as 18 Parliamentary Secretaries for holding the office of profit.
In a letter submitted to the Governor on Monday, CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said that the 18 legislators are holding the posts of Parliamentary Secretaries and as such drawing salaries and other allowances and hence have become subject to disqualification as per article 191(1) (a) of the Constitution of India.
Article 191 (1) (a) states that “a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State specified in the First Schedule, other than an office declared by the Legislature of the State by law not to disqualify its holder”.
The petition was submitted to the Governor since he is the right authority to decide on disqualification as per article 192 of the Constitution of India.
The government is spending over Rs 18 lakh (18,67,500) per month as salary and constituency allowance to the 18 Parliamentary Secretaries.
A Parliamentary Secretary avails Rs 48750 as salary and Rs 55,000 as constituency allowance which comes to a total monthly allowance of Rs 103750 .
While a clause of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Rules equated Parliamentary Secretaries to that of a Minister of State, the 91st amendment to the Constitution specifies that Meghalaya can have only 12 ministers.
Following the media reports, Independent legislator Lambok Mylliem had quit the post.
However, the state cabinet recently brought an amendment to the existing Act on Parliamentary Secretaries to delete a clause related to the equation of Parliamentary Secretaries to a Minister.
Other Parliamentary Secretaries are Comingone Ymbon, Limison Sangma, Winnerson Sangma, Kennedy Khyriem, Cherak Momin, Sengnam Marak, Celestine Lyngdoh and Noverfield Marak (all Congress), Marthon Sangma of the NCP and Independents Samuel Sangma, Rophul Marak, Robinus Syngkon, Michael Sangma, Justine Dkhar, Ashahel D Shira, Stephanson Mukhim, Brigady Marak.
