Shillong, Mar 17: KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum on Thursday accused the Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Metbah Lyngdoh with ‘breach of privilege’ and moved a privilege notice, which was defeated by the members of the House through voice vote.
“The No’s have it, the motion is not carried and the privilege notice is rejected by the House,” the Speaker said after the privilege notice was put to vote.
Referring to the rule 314 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, Lyngdoh 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 alleged that the action of the Speaker of committing breach of privilege against him by moving away from the ‘rule book’ on March 8.
He 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 breach of privilege,” Nongrum charged.
“You Mr Speaker Sir have curtailed my right. It doesn’t 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 breach of privilege,” he added.
Before giving his ruling, the Speaker said the private member bill brought has been circulated to all the members for their perusal and examination before it was listed in the list of 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 announced Shri George B Lyngdoh, member, who had also brought a private member bill on March 10 but there was no indication from your side to make any explanatory statement to which I could have considered,” he said.
Nongrum’s move against the Speaker saw objection from both the ruling and the opposition bench.
