IMPHAL, June 21– The budget session of the Manipur State Legislative Assembly concluded this afternoon after passing of the Manipur Appropriation Bill 2004. The eighth session of the Manipur Legislation Assembly which commenced from June 14 was earlier scheduled to end on July 5 with fifteen sittings as per Business Advisory Committee decision. However due to the boycott stand of the Opposition, the session had to be proponed.
The 20-member Opposition in the House have been boycotting the session which was chaired by Speaker T N Haokip. Opposition said, they would not be able to attend the session if Speaker Haokip chaired the House. They accused Haokip of involvement in the killing of eight-year old minor girl, daughter of Manipur Minister Francis Ngajokpa, in November last year. However, the Speaker on the other hand has denied the charges.
In today’s concluding session, senior Opposition members O Joy and Dr Nimaichand Luwang, both MLAs of Manipur People’s Party prayed to have a discussion over the rejection of a motion raised against the Speaker. But their plea was once again rejected by the Speaker. Later the Opposition members walked out from the House, they further demanded removal of the Haokip from the post of Speakership. Later, after tabling the 6th report of the committee on the first day of the session, the House today passed the Manipur Appropriation Bill 2004.