Assembly session extended by another 20 days

IMPHAL, January 12: The once extended Winter session of the 7th Manipur Legislative Assembly has been further extended by another 20 days, according to an order of the Assembly Speaker, S Dhananjoy Singh, released by the Assembly secretariat today. The earlier extension of 45 days was due to lapse on January 14. With today's notice, the Winter session has seen a total of 65 days extension. The order of the Speaker, treated as Assembly Bulletin Part-II released today said "pursuant to the direction issued under Rule 353 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on 07-19-2000 and Bulletin Part-II No 10 dated the 8th December 2000, I further extended the time for taking up the motion of no confidence in the Council of Ministers led by Shri W Nipamacha Singh from within 45 days to within 65 days from the date of grant of leave by the House, i.e. 01-12-2000 in view of the repairs of the damage caused in the Assembly Hall in the incident of 01-12-2000 and in view of the existing tension and emotions between the Ruling and Opposition members." Today's extension of the House session once again kicked up speculations that a Constitutional deadlock may be around the corner, and it may become essential for the Constitutional head, the Governor, Ved Marwah, to intervene. It may be recalled that the Speaker yesterday submitted his status report of the Assembly to the Governor. In the meantime, it is also learnt that the estimated cost of repair work in the Assembly submitted by the Assembly secretariat to the finance department has been sanctioned. However, despite, the advice of the Governor, the chief minister and the Speaker have not got together as yet to remove the hurdles before an early re-summoning of the House. The present entangle, it may again be recalled, resulted after the Speaker adjourned the House sine die after admitting a motion against the United Front, on the first day of the Winter session on December 1.