Shillong, March 17: The discussion on a breach of privilege notice moved by KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum against the Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh was expunged by the Speaker himself on Thursday.
Earlier, the notice was rejected through voice vote.
The speaker referred to the rule 314 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business and said “If any doubt arises as to the interpretation of any of the provisions of this rule, the decision of the Speaker shall be final. I also give my ruling, this privilege notice will not be a precedence.”
Earlier, Nongrum pointed out the action of the Speaker of committing breach of privilege against him by moving away from the ‘rule book’ on March 8.
Nongrum said he had come prepared for introduction of the Meghalaya Agriculture Land Regulation Bill, 2022 and was ready to move a motion for leave as per rule for consideration of the house. It was listed as item No 4 (a).
“Why did you (Speaker) move away from the rule book and asked me to beg leave to introduce, why did you not ask me to move a motion for leave to introduce. I consider your action against me that day a breech of privilege,” Nongrum alleged.
“You Mr Speaker Sir have curtailed my right. It doesnt take much to understand that there is a big difference between beg leave to introduce and move a motion for leave to introduce. If you Mr Speaker Sir had a correct understanding as to what you want me to do on that day why didn’t you communicate that understanding to me by quoting the rules…I consider your act of omission that day as breech of privilege,” he added.
Before giving his ruling, the Speaker said as per rule, the private member’s bill brought should have been circulated to all the members for their perusal and examination two days in advance before it was listed for the business.
The member who brings the private member bill is allowed to give a brief explanatory under Rule 71 provided as per Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
“Accordingly you (Nongrum) could have requested to make a brief explanatory statement before begging leave of the House for introduction of the bill. I had also allowed Shri George B Lyngdoh, member, who had also brought a private member’s bill on March 10 but there was no indication from your side to make any explanatory statement which I could have considered,” he said.
Nongrum’s move against the Speaker saw objections from both the ruling and the opposition benches.
