Imphal, August 05: Acknowledging a point raised by Opposition MLAs O Joy and Dr Nimaichand Luwang today, Speaker TN Haokip has asked the Privilege Committee of the Assembly to study whether privilege motion can be taken up against the Deputy Secretary of Education Department for speaking to a State vernacular daily on a matter that is still being under discussion in the Assembly.

The Speaker also asked the Privilege Committee to recommend what action needs to be taken up.

The matter relates to MLAs O Joy and Dr Nimaichand Luwang's contention at the floor of the Assembly on July 23 that Education Department has embezzled funds for school building repairing at Tengnoupal sub-division of Chandel district as well as withdrawal of bill without completion of building at Kwatha.

In connection with the deliberation, School Education Minister Y Mani had tabled a report yesterday on the charges based on information compiled by officials concerned.

However Deputy Secretary (Education) M Chandramani spoke to Naharolgi Thoudang on the matter which was published in the July 28 edition of the daily.

The two MLAs, O Joy and Dr Nimaichand Luwang contended that as the official's statement closely corroborated the Minister's version, the very statement of the officer compromised the spirit of the House and deserves further scrutiny.

When the Deputy Speaker M Lala, taking chair of the House, failed to take up the matter after the question hour today, O Joy demanded the matter be moved as a point of order motion which was initially resisted by the former on the ground that no documents were available and asked for deferment till the afternoon session.

However, Joy quoting numerous rules of conduct persisted that no further deferment is necessary as receipt signature was already dated yesterday and the matter concerns the privilege of the House.

The MLA mockingly remarked that as the official has spoken to the press on a matter which is otherwise still pending for discussion in the House, the role of the Minister concerned and his status have been undermined and need no further reference.

O Joy further stated that the official's remark that guilty persons involved in the fund misuse should be punished tantamount to questioning the prestige of the MLA/Minister and questioned why it should not be taken as contempt of the House.

Amid the hot debate Speaker TN Haokip took the chair and observed that leave alone officials even Ministers or MLAs are prohibited from stating issues related to policy matters beyond the House.