Shillong, Feb 17: Opposition Trinamool Congress legislator Charles Pyngrope on Tuesday raised a point of order in the Legislative Assembly over the chief minister’s reference to the Speaker by name during the question hour.
Pyngrope said he could not cite the exact rule but insisted the practice was out of order. “I can’t find the rule, but I know it exists,” he told the House.
“The chief minister referred to you as ‘Mr Thomas’ (in the course of his reply regarding the education department). That is irregular (because) the rules of procedure and conduct of business do not allow this,” the TMC MLA from Nongthymmai said.
He requested that the reference be expunged from the proceedings.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma immediately responded, saying the record should be corrected. “Definitely, the decorum must be followed. You can change the name,” he told the Speaker, suggesting his own name be inserted instead.
Speaker Thomas A Sangma acknowledged the concern and assured the House that it would be examined. “The matter will be examined,” he said.
