Assembly breaks silence; defends Speaker
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 30 2012: Termining it as baseless, Manipur Legislative Assembly today refuted allegation leveled against its Speaker Th Lokeshore over misappropriation of Rs 5.6 lakh sanctioned for the purpose of going to participating in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference without ever going.

In a press clarification, Md.Sukur Shah, Dy.

Secretary (Adm) of Manipur Legislative Assembly said the Speaker had not withdrawn any fund in connection with participation in 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, which was held from September 7 to 15 at Colombo (Sri Lanka) neither did the Speaker attended the conference.

The Deputy Secretary pointed out that the Ministry of External Affairs had sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under clearance No.AA/122/01/2012-648 as advance TA for post conference tour at USA, Japan and UK.

However, as the speaker could not attend the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference due to sudden illness of a family member, the said amount was deposited to the bank by the Assembly Secretariat.

On the allegation for misappropriation of Rs 60,000, the press clarification went on to assert that the Speaker along with Assembly Secretariat officer had gone to attend a briefing meeting at Delhi on August 13.The briefing meeting was scheduled earlier on August 3 but it was postponed to August 27.Accorrdingly, the Speaker returned back leaving behind the Secretary and other officers.

The expenditure incurred for going to that meeting was to be re-imbursed from the State Assembly Secretariat and the process is underway.

On the other hand, the Ministry of External Affairs had sanctioned Rs 2.8 lakh for the post conference tour under clearance number AA/122/01/2012-688 as advance T.A., which means that the expenses of the secretary for the tour should be adjusted on submission of the details and receipts of the expenditures.

However, the Secretary, too return back after attending the 58th Common Wealth Parliamentary Conference at Colombo due to non-clearance of visas.

Over the allegation of misappropriation of Rs 16 crore in procuring items, the Assembly Secretariat clarifies that total budget allocation for Assembly as contingency Budget, 2011-12 is Rs 10.89 crore.

The budget has been utilized for maintenance and other purposes of the MLAs.

Hence, the question of misusing Rs 16 crores does not arise.

The press clarification further pointed out that the Assembly Secretariat had published 2,500 Diaries for the year 2011 at an estimated cost of Rs 8,75,000/- when Th.Lokeshore was the Deputy Speaker.

For the year 2012 3000 diaries were published in accordance to the requirement at an estimated cost of Rs s 12,00,000/- in accordance to official procedures.

Regarding the auction of vehicles, it was done after getting necessary declaration from Motor Vehicle Authority as well as recommendation from the Board of Condemnation of Vehicle Authority of the Assembly, it added.

The Deputy Secretary, however, did not make any clarify over alleged illegal appointment of employees as it would be subjudicial since the matter is pending in the court.

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