Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 26 2010:
Contending that the press statement issued by Manipur Secretariat Services Association condemning the remarks made by Congress MLA I Hemochandra, who is quoted to have said that the employees of Secretariat do not attend office in time, during the zero hour of the ongoing Assembly session, has breached the privilege of the House, the matter has been referred to the Privilege Committee.
Raising a point of order in this regard in the Assembly session today, MLA I Hemochandra stated that he had observed the irregularity of the officers and employees of the Secretariat in attending office in the Assembly session in exercise of the power bestowed upon as a member of the House.
The MLA pointed out that the observations were spelt out during zero hour of the Assembly in good faith.
It was done so without any ulterior motive but to encourage the employees to attend office in time.
It was on the floor of the House and not in any other public platform.
So, the statement issued by the Manipur Secretariat Service Association condemning the remarks as if it is challenging the rights of a House member was unfortunate.
It has not only affected privilege of the House but also condemned the House as a whole.
The matter should be taken up as an issue by the House, he insisted.
Supporting the point of order raised by Hemochandra, MLA O Joy of the Opposition said that no outside authority can challenge the observations made inside the House nor the same can be published in the newspapers.
Therefore the matter should be referred to the Privilege Committee of the House.
Accordingly, with the permission of the House, Speaker Dr Sapam Budhichandra later on gave the approval for referring the matter to the Privilege Committee of the House.