Lucky 5 sworn in as Parliamentary Secretaries
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 08 2012: AT LONG last, the names of five MLAs have been finally announced for induction to the newly created posts of Parliamentary Secretaries and the swearing-in ceremony of the inducted MLAs was held at the Chief Minister's Cabinet Hall today.

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Chief Minister O Ibobi.

The lucky five who have been sworn in as Parliamentary Secretaries are MLA of Wangkhem A/C K Meghachandra, MLA of Moirang A/C M Prithviraj, MLA of Phungyar A/C Victor Keishing, MLA of Thanlon A/C Vungzagin Valte C and MLA of Kshetrigao A/C Md Amin Shah.

MLA K Meghachandra was the first MLA to be sworn in and it was followed by MLA M Prithviraj, MLA Victor Keishing, MLA Vungzagin Valte and MLA Md Amin Shah respectively.

(L-R) K Meghachandra ,M Prithviraj, Victor Keishing , Vungzagin Valte and Md Amin Shah

The induction of five MLAs to the posts of Parliamentary Secretaries has come about after almost seven months of lingering over the issue with Opposition parties objecting to creation of such extraneous posts that would add financial burden to the state coffer.

The post of Parliamentary Secretaries is believed to have been created to pacify disgruntled MLAs who missed Ministerial berths.

The number of posts created has been reduced from seven to five in view of the lean financial phase that the State is currently passing through.

It may be recalled here that passing of the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provision Bill, 2012) too had been done by a voice vote in the last monsoon session of the State Assembly.

During the swearing in ceremony, Chief Minister O Ibobi also announced that the posts of Chairmen of various Corporations/Government undertaking would be appointed soon.

The swearing in ceremony was also attended by Speaker Th Lokeshware, Home Minister Gaikhangam, Law Minister Th Devendro, Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, PHE Minister I Hemochandra, Rural Development Minster Francis Ngajokpa, Education Minister M Okendro, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, Agriculture Minister Md Nasir, Social Welfare Minister Ak Mirabai, Chairman of Hill Area Committee Chaltonlien Amo, MLA T Mangibabu, MLA N Bira and Chief Secretary DS Poonia.