NONGPOH: The Privilege Committee of the state Assembly has warned officers of strict action if they do not conduct themselves properly while dealing with elected representatives, be they MLAs or MPs.
The warning came at a meeting between officers of various line departments of Ri Bhoi district and the Privilege Committee in Nongpoh on Tuesday.
Privilege Committee member and Mawsynram MLA HM Shangpliang warned the officers that henceforth the panel should not receive complaints of them misbehaving with the elected representatives. “The committee will take strict action if any complaints are made against the officials,” he said.
The meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Rosetta Mary Kurbah. It was also attended by the Privilege Committee members comprising its Chairman, Saleng A Sangma, George B Lyngdoh, Wailadmiki Shylla, Gavin Mylliem, Jason Sawkmie Mawlong and others.
Sangma while speaking at the meeting said that it has come to the notice of the committee that several officers did not follow procedures while officially dealing with an elected representative and, therefore, it feels the need to sensitise them so as to enable them to rectify their mistakes.
He also said that the objective of the meeting is to create awareness among the officers on the important role played by an elected representative and that they should be treated equally irrespective of their party affiliation. Shangpliang further said that the committee had received several negative reports on the conduct of officers especially towards an elected representative who is not from the ruling side, stating that this is very wrong.
He also stated that as government officials, they should be neutral while conducting their duties and if the situation is beyond their powers, they should consult with their senior officers and act as per rules.
Jason Sawkmie Mawlong and George B Lyngdoh, who also spoke, cited instances when an officer didn’t reply to letters of elected representative who belongs to the opposition party which is very unfortunate.
They urged the officers to work together with the elected representatives of the Assembly for the betterment and welfare of the people at large.
A general instruction issued by the Personnel and AR (A) Department with regard to official dealings between the administration and members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly-observance of proper procedures was also handed over to the officers present in the meeting.
