By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 13: The five-day autumn session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will be held from September 8-12.
The decision was finalised during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Assembly on Wednesday.
“We had the BAC meeting to finalise the calendar for the upcoming autumn session. The meeting was attended by all members, with Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma joining virtually from Tura. The BAC has unanimously approved the calendar for the session, which will commence on September 8 and conclude on September 12, covering five working days—three for government business and two for private members’ business,” Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma said after the meeting.
When asked about the decision to schedule the session from Monday to Friday instead of starting on a Friday as per norms, the Speaker clarified, “It is not mandatory to begin on a Friday. Last year’s autumn session also comprised five working days, though it began on a Friday and extended to the following Friday due to the Janmashtami holiday. This time, since there is less government business, especially fewer supplementary demands and demands for grants, the committee agreed on a five-day session from Monday to Friday.”
On whether the Opposition was satisfied with the number of sitting days, the Speaker stated, “All members agreed unanimously and there was no objection or resentment.”
The BAC meeting was attended by Commissioner & Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs Department, CVD Diengdoh, Commissioner & Secretary of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Andrew Simons and Secretary of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Malthus S. Sangma.