Governor okays Parliamentary Secretary Bill
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 04, 2012:
The Governor has finally given his consent to the Parliamentary Secretary Bill which would empower the Government to appoint Congress MLAs, excluded from the Ministry, as Parliamentary Secretaries in the rank of Ministers of State.
A reliable source informed that the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary Allowance and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012 which was passed by the State Assembly last month was approved by Governor Gurbachan Jagat today.
After appending his signature of approval, the Bill has been sent to the Government today itself.
Earlier, the State Cabinet adopted a decision to enforce an ordinance with due permission of the Governor so that Parliamentary Secretaries can be appointed but the same initiative was declined by the Governor.
After this, a Bill was sent to the Governor but again the Governor returned the Bill unapproved as he was not in agreement with certain points of the Bill.
the Bill was sent to the Governor for the third time after some modifications and this time the Governor gave his consent.
Those Congress MLAs who would be appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries would be sworn in by the Chief Minister, informed the source.
The Parliamentary Secretaries who would be accorded the status of Ministers of State would be provided vehicles, offices and staff by the Government in addition to monthly salaries.
The Parliamentary Secretaries would execute works allotted to them by the Chief Minister but they would not have authority to take any decision on behalf of the Government.
Notably, Chief Minister O Ibobi has already stated that not many Parliamentary Secretaries would be appointed.