Month: July 2017

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | July 18

After few hours of the Kohima Bench Gauhati High Court’s dismissal of the writ petition of Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Lietzietsu filed in the same court on July 14 against the Governor’s directive for floor test, Governor PB Acharya has directed the Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly to summon an emergent Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (July 19) at 09:30 am to test the majority support of the present cabinet led by Chief Minister, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu. This directive of the Governor came following the dismissal of the writ petition filed by Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu at Kohima Bench Guwahati High Court “vide Judgment and Order dated 18th July 2017 as well as vacation of the earlier interim order passed by the same Court on 14th July, 2017”.

According to the Raj Bhavan, the Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench observed that the Governor had taken the right decision to ask the Chief Minister to have a Vote of Confidence in the floor of the House to see which out of the two contesting claimants of Chief Ministership had a majority in the House.

The Court further stated that there was no merit in the writ petition filed by Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu and the same was accordingly dismissed.    

Earlier the Governor had requested the Chief Minister to prove his majority support on the floor of the Assembly on or before July 15, 2017 was made on July 11, 2017 and July 13, 2017.

Meanwhile, sources said that Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu may go to “higher court” to challenge today’s judgment of the Kohima Bench Gauhati High Court.

There are 43 legislators, both NPF and 7 Independent MLAs, camping at Hotel Vivor in Kohima since Friday.

Interestingly, the 4 BJP legislators along with the Nagaland unit party president have met the Governor this evening and submitted an affirmation letter that, they will support the “TR Zeliang group”. In the letter the 4 BJP MLAs and the BJP Nagaland unit president said, “In the present political crisis in the state government the BJP has decided to remain a constituent of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) led by the DAN Chairman, Shri TR Zeliang.” The letter also said that the BJP has been a constituent of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) in Nagaland, and that, the “BJP has joined the DAN Government and continues to remain as a part of the arrangement till date.”

It can be noted here that former Chief Minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio is fully and openly supporting the TR Zeliang camp.

On July 14, in that writ petition filed by the petitioner Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu before the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court, it was argued that the decision of the Governor asking the petitioner who is also the Chief Minister of Nagaland to conduct a floor test on or before July 15 was “ex facie unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and violative of the basic features of the Constitution.”

Later, the Kohima Bench of the Guwahati High Court had stayed the directive of the Governor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland to go for a floor test on or before July 15, 2017, till Monday (July 17).

Ibobi walks out of meeting

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Opposition leader and former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh today reportedly staged a walk out of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting convened at the Assembly secretariat, discontented with sudden change in schedule of the budget session due to be held from July 20.

The Congress party has termed the sudden change in the last minute as unethical and a mockery to the democratic tradition of the country.

Speaking to media persons in this regards at the Congress Bhavan, Congress spokesperson, Kh. Joykishan Singh, pointed out that a BAC meeting held on July 13 earlier had resolved to convene the budget session from July 20 to August 16.

But, in a drastic change a BAC meeting held today has shortened the session to August 4, he said.

Joykishan further informed that Opposition leader who took part in today’s BAC meeting staged a walk out showing his disapproval over the decision of the BJP led government.

He contended that the development comes against the backdrop of the Congress’ commitment to raise certain issues confronting the people of Manipur including the Framework Agreement, Inner Line Permit system, flood etc.

The decision has surprised all sections of the society but has become a cause of concern in the minds of the people, maintained Joykishan.

According to Nambol MLA, N. Loken, he has never come across a conflicting decisions such as the one taken by the BAC meeting today.

The MLA revealed that an earlier meeting of the BAC held on July 13 not only resolved to convene the full budget session from July 20 to August 16 but also published the matter in the bulletin of the Assembly.

The order copy of the resolution taken by the BAC was also issued to all the elected representatives, he continued.

Against the backdrop, Loken alleged that he had submitted four questions yesterday to the Assembly secretariat to be asked during the ensuing session.

However, only two of its questions were received by the secretariat on the pretext that the Assembly session will conclude by July 31.

Loken further pointed out that as per his experience, BAC review meeting is known to extend number of sittings of a session if the agenda to be deliberated are more instead of cutting it short.

The MLA opined that the action of the government speaks for itself that it is unethical outlook towards the Constitution and the democratic set up of the country.

He further appealed to the government to govern responsibly taking into consideration the welfare of the people so as to avoid unwanted consequences.

It has been further informed that unlike the past, the present Assembly sessions will have sittings on Saturdays.

Ibobi walks out of meeting

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Opposition leader and former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh today reportedly staged a walk out of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting convened at the Assembly secretariat, discontented with sudden change in schedule of the budget session due to be held from July 20.

The Congress party has termed the sudden change in the last minute as unethical and a mockery to the democratic tradition of the country.

Speaking to media persons in this regards at the Congress Bhavan, Congress spokesperson, Kh. Joykishan Singh, pointed out that a BAC meeting held on July 13 earlier had resolved to convene the budget session from July 20 to August 16.

But, in a drastic change a BAC meeting held today has shortened the session to August 4, he said.

Joykishan further informed that Opposition leader who took part in today’s BAC meeting staged a walk out showing his disapproval over the decision of the BJP led government.

He contended that the development comes against the backdrop of the Congress’ commitment to raise certain issues confronting the people of Manipur including the Framework Agreement, Inner Line Permit system, flood etc.

The decision has surprised all sections of the society but has become a cause of concern in the minds of the people, maintained Joykishan.

According to Nambol MLA, N. Loken, he has never come across a conflicting decisions such as the one taken by the BAC meeting today.

The MLA revealed that an earlier meeting of the BAC held on July 13 not only resolved to convene the full budget session from July 20 to August 16 but also published the matter in the bulletin of the Assembly.

The order copy of the resolution taken by the BAC was also issued to all the elected representatives, he continued.

Against the backdrop, Loken alleged that he had submitted four questions yesterday to the Assembly secretariat to be asked during the ensuing session.

However, only two of its questions were received by the secretariat on the pretext that the Assembly session will conclude by July 31.

Loken further pointed out that as per his experience, BAC review meeting is known to extend number of sittings of a session if the agenda to be deliberated are more instead of cutting it short.

The MLA opined that the action of the government speaks for itself that it is unethical outlook towards the Constitution and the democratic set up of the country.

He further appealed to the government to govern responsibly taking into consideration the welfare of the people so as to avoid unwanted consequences.

It has been further informed that unlike the past, the present Assembly sessions will have sittings on Saturdays.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Officials of RIMS, OPD counter tried to attack journalists today when a team of journalists visited the counter to inquire about alleged collection of money from patient parties for medical tests.

They allegedly tried to attack the journalists when the former tried to capture the photo of the counter.

The journalists came to RIMS after getting an information that the counter is taking money for medical tests which is to be done free of cost.

The new government as a part of their 100 days programme announced that 57 different medical tests will be done free of cost in JNIMS and RIMS.

“Taking advantage of not having separate counters for the free test facilities, the counter continued to take money from patients for medical tests which are to be done free,” claimed a patient party.

The journalists tried to meet the medical superintendent on the issue but they could not do so.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Officials of RIMS, OPD counter tried to attack journalists today when a team of journalists visited the counter to inquire about alleged collection of money from patient parties for medical tests.

They allegedly tried to attack the journalists when the former tried to capture the photo of the counter.

The journalists came to RIMS after getting an information that the counter is taking money for medical tests which is to be done free of cost.

The new government as a part of their 100 days programme announced that 57 different medical tests will be done free of cost in JNIMS and RIMS.

“Taking advantage of not having separate counters for the free test facilities, the counter continued to take money from patients for medical tests which are to be done free,” claimed a patient party.

The journalists tried to meet the medical superintendent on the issue but they could not do so.