SHILLONG: Deputy Speaker Timothy Shira faltered twice causing a peal of laughter in the House when the matter regarding a resolution was put to vote.
The resolution moved by Congress legislator from Ampati, Miani D Shira was related to depriving local youths of job opportunities in Meghalaya Rural Bank due to the notification of the Centre amending the ‘local language proficiency’ clause.
After the reply of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that he would take up the matter with the Centre, Shira was ready to withdraw the resolution.
After the withdrawal of the resolution, the deputy speaker said, “Now the resolution was withdrawn, let me put the question before the House, those who are against the resolution say no and those who are in favour of the resolution, say yes.”
Following the response from the House, the deputy speaker again said, “The Ayes have it, the Ayes have it and the resolution is lost.”
The deputy should have said, “The Noes have it, the Noes have it and the resolution is lost.”
After the Opposition was surprised over the ruling amid laughter in the House, the deputy speaker repeated the same for the second time creating further giggling.
After the intervention of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, the deputy speaker corrected his reply.
