SHILLONG, March 17 - In a rare instance, Privileges Committee of Meghalaya Assembly has recommended summoning of a State Government official before the House to �reprimand� and �seek his apology� based on an MLA�s complaint.
Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Saleng A Sangma tabled a Committee report on the complaint filed by Independent legislator from South Tura constituency, John Leslee K Sangma against Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Tura Municipal Board, Zenithsky J Sangma.
The observation and recommendation of the Committee is to �summon and reprimand� the CEM before the House and seek his apology failing which strong disciplinary action would be taken, including termination of service.
The observation and recommendation of the report said that the CEO was twice summoned before the Committee, but on both occasions he failed to appear before it. Further, the CEO has been issuing statements through the media, despite him being bound by the Meghalaya Service (Conduct) Rules, 1990.
The CEO, the report said, has also filed an FIR against the Tura MLA. �The filing of concocted FIR against John Leslee K Sangma and summoning him to appear before Tura Police Station without proper justification is a serious breach of privilege of an honourable Member,� the report stated.
The issue began, the South Tura legislator claimed in his complaint, when there was a stalemate between the CEO and traders and vendors of Ringrey Market, Tura in 2014, for the traders not moving to a new location and he was falsely accused of instigating the traders and vendors.
The Tura CEO has �tried to project the local MLA (disrespectfully addressed as one person) as causing the situation,� the complaint of the South Tura MLA said.
