Petition in HC against Parliamentary Secretary Act
Najma starts consulting legal experts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 15 2018:
In the face of the two representations submitted by Congress party against the appointment of 12 Parliamentary Secretaries by the coalition Government led by N Biren, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla has started consulting legal experts.
The Governor started consulting legal experts following the Congress party's assertion that the MLAs appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries hold offices of profit, informed a source.
Notably, eight BJP MLAs, three NPF MLAs and one independent MLA were sworn in as Parliamentary Secretaries on March 23 last year.
The Governor has started studying the matter together with officials of Law Department and relevant officials of the Central Government, said the source.
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However, the Governor has not yet referred the Congress party's complaint to the Election Commission of India.
On the other hand, Chief Minister N Biren had clarified on the floor of the State Assembly that all the Parliamentary Secretaries had resigned.
Opposition party filed petitions seeking disqualification of all the MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries on the ground that they held offices of profit after the Supreme Court issued a ruling in 2016 which categorically stated that appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries was unconstitutional.
The MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries are Khurai AC BJP MLA Leisangthem Susindro alias Yaima, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa BJP MLA Soibam Subhaschandra, Keirao AC BJP MLA Lourembam Rameshwor, Kshetrigao AC BJP MLA N Indrajit, Mayang Imphal AC BJP MLA Kongkham Robindro, Yaiskul AC BJP MLA Thokchom Satyabrata, Sekmai AC BJP MLA Heikham Dingo, Konthoujam AC BJP MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan, Jiribam AC independent MLA Ashab Uddin, Chingai AC NPF MLA Khashim Vashum, Phungyar AC NPF MLA K Leishiyo and Tamei AC NPF MLA Awangbow Newmai.
On the other hand, the High Court of Manipur has listed the petitions filed against the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provision ) Act 2012 for hearing on March 13 .