By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 26: The Opposition MDCs candidly decided not to sit during a general discussion on the last day of the KHADC’s summer session on Thursday, airing disappointment over the ruling by the Council’s Chairman, Strong Pillar Kharjana, which barred them from taking part.
Sohiong-Nongspung UDP MDC, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, told the Chairman that, as per the practice in the Legislative Assembly, members usually send a slip to the Speaker to indicate their intention to participate in the General Discussion on the Budget.
As per him, they are not required to submit their names in advance to be allowed to speak. Similarly, Leader of Opposition, Titosstarwell Chyne, stated that Rule 115 of the AD Rules provides members the liberty to deliberate on the budget in detail. “We should be allowed to debate on the budget speech of the EM in-charge of Finance,” Chyne said.
He added that he understands the need for prior submission if members wish to move a cut motion on the supplementary demands, since the department needs time to prepare a reply.
The Leader of Opposition further reminded that the Chairman, in the past, had allowed members to take part in discussions if time permitted, even if they had not submitted their names in advance.
Meanwhile, the Chairman asserted that his ruling was not biased. He explained that he had fixed 4 pm on June 24 as the deadline for members to submit their names. “This has been the usual practice all along,” said Kharjana.
He questioned how he could allow participation from members who had not submitted their names.
Sticking to his earlier ruling, the Chairman said he would permit only the five MDCs who had complied with the deadline to take part.
It may be noted that the five MDCs who participated in the general discussion were all from the ruling side.
Although the Opposition MDCs did not attend the general discussion on the budget, they returned to the House when EM in-charge of Finance, Seiborlang Warbah, was called upon to reply.
