Keishing protests chairman's appointment, quits Manipur PAC

IMPHAL, April 11: The solitary Opposition member in the 60-member House and former Chief Minister, Rishang Keishing has resigned from the Public Accounts Committee of the State Assembly and the Estimates Committee here. The veteran politician, Rishang Keishing, was included as member of the PAC and the Estimates Committee during the last Assembly session. Rishang tendered his resignation paper to the Speaker. The Speaker is empowered to nominate the chairman of the House committee. After submitting his resignation paper on Monday, the former Chief Minister said that the chairman of the PAC should be drawn from the Opposition. However, in violation of all democratic ethos and parliamentary norms, the Speaker appointed Paonam Achou of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), another major partner in the existing People's Front Ministry, the veteran Congressman said. Rishang Keishing further added that the decision of the Speaker is akin to demeaning the role of the Opposition. Going into the function of the PAC, Rishang said it is the duty of the PAC to keep a close tab on the expenditure incurred by the Government of Manipur and ensure that money and resources are judiciously utilised. If a member from the treasury bench is made the chairman of the PAC, then the very purpose of constituting the PAC stands defeated, he said. Rishang said he preferred to resign rather than keep mum over the whole issue. Later, the seasoned political leader said that all ministers are too busy protecting their chairs, and that development works have been confined to the backburners. Rishang further said that the Radhabinod Koijam-led Ministry has totally failed on all fronts and cited the acute fuel shortage and erratic power supply. Ridiculing the measures taken up by the PP Ministry to maintain law and order, Rishang said that it defies logic that restrictions under Cr PC (Sec 144) should be imposed throughout the year in Imphal East and West in the name of maintaining law and order. Meanwhile, speaking on the inaugural function of the grievance cell of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee , Rishang said, the cell would act as a pressure group and highlight the suffering of the people to the government. People from all walks of life can come and air their grievances at the cell, he said. The cell would also strengthen the role of the Opposition in acting as to check and balance to the treasury bench. The president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee , Oinam Tbobi who attended the inaugural function, also admitted that the Congress would resume agitations all over the State demanding the resignation of the BJP-led minister at Centre following the Tehelka.com expose on defence deal. He also said that the Congress will soon highlight all wrong doings of the existing ministry.