The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly on Saturday decided on a one-day sitting of the fourth session of the assembly.
The BAC meeting chaired by Speaker Th Satyabarta was attended by CM N Biren Singh, senior minister Th Basantakumar, Awangbou Newmai of NPF, Opposition leader O Ibobi of Congress, Abdul Nasir of JD-U and N Kayisi of NPP.
The state Cabinet on August 21 took the decision to convene the much awaited Manipur Legislative Assembly monsoon session on August 29, to avoid a constitutional crisis.
Earlier, the State Cabinet had, on August 4, recommended to the Governor of Manipur for summoning the 4th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 21, a session which could not be held.
The state government proposal for a one-day session drew criticism and it prompted CLP leader O Ibobi to walk out of the meeting held on Saturday in protest, leaving a dissenting note behind.
Ibobi, who is also a member of the committee, proposed an extended sitting of the Assembly for at least five days.
Speaking to the media at Congress Bhawan in Imphal following his departure from the meeting held at the Speaker's office chamber, Ibobi expressed his concern.
He highlighted the need for more time to deliberate on the unprecedented incidents that have occurred in the state over the past few months.
However, the committee, in its meeting on Saturday, resolved to limit the Assembly session to a single day, focusing primarily on obituary references.
Pointing out that when obituary references are discussed, other agenda items are usually set aside, he said this decision effectively leaves no room to address the pressing issues affecting the state within the confines of a one-day session.
Ibobi strongly criticised the one-day session, asserting that it serves the purpose of avoiding a constitutional crisis rather than prioritising the interests of the people of Manipur.
MLA K Meghachandra, chairman of the Public Account Committee of the state Assembly and MPCC president also voiced his concern.
He stated that the manner in which the Assembly was being convened violated the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly, thus depriving its members of their rightful participation.
Meghachandra emphasised that a period of 15 days should be allocated to Assembly members from the day of summoning to facilitate a standard session.
However, the current session has been about giving short notice and at the same time masquerading a normal session, he said.
As a result, Assembly members are left with limited opportunities to present questions, propose private resolutions, or engage in other crucial legislative actions.
The Congress party expressed strong condemnation for the way the current Assembly session was called.
When questioned about the Congress party's stance on the upcoming Assembly session, Ibobi refrained from making an early comment regarding whether the five Congress (opposition) MLAs would participate in the one-day session.
Governor Anusuiya Uikey has summoned the 4th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly to convene at 11 am on August 29.
In a bid to avert a constitutional crisis, the state Cabinet decided on August 21 to convene the much-anticipated Manipur Legislative Assembly monsoon session on August 29.
This decision followed a recommendation made to the Manipur governor on August 4, suggesting the summoning of the 4th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 21. However, the anticipated session did not materialise on the specified date.
