MPCC questions Henry's ministerial status
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 27 2021: Claiming that Okram Henry has overstayed the permissible period of serving as a Minister in the Biren Government, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has questioned the ministerial status of the legislator elected from Wangkhei AC.

Speaking to media persons in the Congress Bhavan's Rishang Keishing conference hall here today, MPCC general secretary S Jiten asserted that Governor Dr Najma Heptulla has failed to uphold Article 164 (4) of the Indian Constitution by keeping the ministerial status of Okram Henry obscure.

The permissible period for O Henry to serve as a Minister in the Biren Government expired on March 23/24 .

MPCC questions Henry's ministerial status

If he signed any official file or document in the capacity of a Minister after March 23/24, the same should be treated as invalid, Jiten said.

MPCC legal department chairman Advocate N Jayentakumar remarked that whether the incumbent Government complies with the Constitution or not is a big question.

As per Article 164(4) of the Constitution, some one can be inducted as a Minister for a period of six months.

After expiry of the six months, he/she must face election.

If he/she is elected as an MLA, he can further serve as a Minister, Jayentakumar said.

As the Government itself has been claiming to be citizen-centric, the Government must inform the masses about the position of Okram Henry for he was appointed as a Minister for a limited period of six months and the six months had already lapsed, he said.

MPCC media department convenor Advocate Rabi Khan said that Okram Henry was inducted as a Minister under the incumbent Government on September 24, 2020 even though Henry was no longer an MLA at that point of time.

If Okram Henry is allowed to serve as a Minister any longer, it would be a gross violation of the Constitution, Rabi Khan said.

He asserted that there is no provision in any statute which permits a man who is not an MLA to serve as a Minister for more than six months.

He then urged the Governor and the Chief Minister to come out with a clarification whether Okram Henry is still a Minister or not.