Chizokho Vero
Kohima | April 4
The much-talked office of profit issue on the office of profit in Nagaland was shelved for the time being following a resolution in the House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), agreeing to the opinion of the Advocate General over the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act 1964.
Explaining the provisions of the 1964 Act, Advocate General KN Balgopal opined that the House can wait till the session is convened by the Parliament to discuss the matter.
In the eleventh session (Emergent) of the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly convened today to discuss matter relating to Office of Profit, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio moved the motion to hear the Advocate General KN Balgopal over the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act 1964.
Later, Rio moved the resolution that read: “This House concurs in the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964, made by the Advocate General in the House at its sitting held on the 4th April, 2006 and resolves that the interpretation of the said entries in the said Act so concurred by this House shall be deemed as expression of the legislative intent behind the said entries.”
This resolution was put to vote by Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie which was passed by voice vote.
It said that the copy of the resolution will be sent to the Governor of Nagaland and Chief Election Commissioner of India.
During the session, Chingwang Konyak on behalf of the Opposition Congress agreed with the request of the Advocate General and decided to wait till an enactment or amendment of the legislation in the Parliament.
Meanwhile, Opposition Congress leader I. Imkong termed the opinion of the Advocate General as “reasonable.”
“We are decided to agree by it,” Imkong told newsmen after the session. Imkong stated that the intention of the Opposition Congress on raising the issue of Office of Profit, had served the purpose.
Saying that Congress desires to arouse the interest of the people, Imkong expressed his happiness that the issue of Office of Profit has generated lot of publicity and people have taken keen interest, especially amongst the legal people.
Referring to the reported resignation of BJP MLA Tiameren from the chairmanship of the Nagaland Hotels Limited, Imkong stated that whether he resigned or not it would not make any difference, adding that it will be decided by redefining of Office of Profit by Parliament.
It may be recalled that Congress petitioned the Governor of Nagaland that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio be disqualified as he was holding the posts of Chairman of Nagaland Bamboo Mission and Chairman of Nagaland Sports Council. It stated the said two additional posts are offices of profit thereby attracting disqualification under Article - 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India. The ruling DAN had launched a counter offensive by asking for the disqualification of I. Imkong, Leader of Opposition.
Morung Express News
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