Shillong Feb 22: Voice of the People Party (VPP) Adelbert Nongrum on Thursday moved a breach of privilege motion against Speaker Thomas Sangma for disallowing a discussion on a CAG report.
However, the motion was rejected by the House.
The speaker mentioned about the relevant rules and added, “If any doubt arises to the interpretation of any provision of the rule, the decision of the Speaker is final. This is my ruling”,
The MLA submitted a complaint of breach of privilege on Thursday against the Speaker’s decision not to admit his special motion to discuss on the report of the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) on social and economic sector for the year ended March 31, 2022 citing that his rights have been denied.
In response, the speaker said, “The assembly secretariat had informed him as per letter received from the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma that after CAG report is placed in the House, the Public Accounts Committee examines the same . As the report is still under examination by the PAC, I request you not to list any motion to discuss the same. I feel this is the correct interpretation of the rules, it may perhaps be discussed after the report has been submitted by the PAC in the House.”
Nongrum said his parliamentary privilege was breached by the Speaker by taking a decision to disallow the motion to be discussed in the House.
“We are at liberty to discuss the CAG report in public and in press, how come we are disallowed by the Speaker for discussion in the House. Can our fundamental right be curtailed this way?” he asked.
The MLA also sought the intervention of the House in this regard.
