SHILLONG: The State Cabinet on Wednesday amended the Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretary (Appointments, Salaries, Allowances & Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2016, to remove ambiguity in the functioning of and benefits to parliamentary secretaries and ministers of state.
The amendment was proposed earlier in the form of an ordinance since the Assembly was not in session but after the Governor’s assent on the promulgation of the ordinance, it became necessary for the Cabinet to introduce the amendment in the form of a Bill.
The State Cabinet approved the amendment in sections 5, 6 and addition of Section 6 (A), besides deletion of Section 8 and the amendments will be presented before the Assembly for its consideration.
Earlier, the Cabinet had decided to delete Section 5 from the Act that had equated the rank and status of parliamentary secretaries with that of a minister of state.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told media persons after the meeting that the exercise has been undertaken by the Cabinet to ensure that there is complete clarity in appointing a parliamentary secretary, salaries and other provisions, including perks and facilities.
Sangma said parliamentary secretaries should be entitled for allowance as per the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Members’ Salaries and Allowances Act, 1972, adding that Section 6 (A) of the Act concerns facilities to parliamentary secretaries as per their entitlement, which will be notified by the Government from time to time.
According to Sangma, as per the proposed amendment, the government will assign such responsibilities to parliamentary secretaries for effective regular monitoring development works implemented by different departments.
