Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 03 2009:
MLA Th Shyamkumar has been given leave on medical ground, from the monsoon session of the State Assembly which commenced today.
After the question hour, Speaker Dr S Budhichandra informed the House about the leave applications submitted by MLAs O Landhoni Devi and Th Shyamkumar.
The Speaker also sought consent of the House to grant leave to the two MLAs.
The application of Landhoni to grant leave from July 3 to July 8 was accepted by the House without any hitch.
However, Shyamkumar's appeal to grant leave from July 3 to July 27 raised quite a flutter in the House.
Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam said the House could not grant leave to a member because he is being detained in judicial custody.
Maintaining that Shyamkumar can attend the House even if he is in judicial custody, Radhabinod said that the MLA may be granted leave if the assertion that he is a heart-patient and undergoing treatment in hospital is true.
MPP legislature wing leader O Joy suggested that the leave application should be referred to Committee Leave of Absent.
The Speaker then told the MPP leader that the committee was no longer existent.
Observing that the matter may end up with disqualification of the MLA after six months, Joy contended that it would be wrong to grant leave to a member who is in judicial custody.
Saying that the MLA may be given leave on medical ground, Joy asked the Speaker if there was any genuine document to grant leave to Shyamkumar on medical ground.
Later, the Speaker announced that the leave application of Shyamkumar has been accepted.
But it would be subject to verification, he added.
MLA Shyamkumar is currently under judicial custody.