HC upholds ruling of Speaker on Saubhagya scheme motion

Shillong, Feb 27: The High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday upheld the ruling of the Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma to disallow a special motion moved by VPP MLA from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum on February 15, 2024 regarding the CAG report on Saubhagya scheme.

The bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, “…there is nothing unconstitutional or illegal in the functioning of the Speaker which would invite interference by the Court.”

The court observed that in this case, the motion is premature as the audit report under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has to be placed before the Committee of Public Accounts, for its examination under Rule 241 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

In another order, the court has given three months to the District and Sessions Judge, Shillong to decide the question of excess payment of Rs 9 crore as compensation to owners of the land acquired for the purpose of extension of the Umroi airport.

The bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh in its order passed after hearing a PIL on Wednesday said, “In those circumstances, we request the learned District and Sessions Judge, Ri -Bhoi District to transmit this case to the learned District and Sessions Judge, Shillong, who is also the Special Judicial Officer under the Land Acquisition Act, who shall treat the same as a reference and decide the question of excess payment of land acquisition compensation following due procedure upon taking necessary evidence, hearing the parties and by a reasoned decision within three months of communication of this order.”