Opposition stages walkout against Speaker's decision

IMPHAL, July 25: The entire Opposition staged a walkout in the state Assembly today during the morning session after the Speaker, S Dhananjoy Singh disallowed both a privilege motion and a point of order raised by Nimaichand Luwang of the Congress. The House passed forty-seven advance demands for excess grants for the financial year of 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97 in the absence of the Opposition members following the walkout. The breach of privilege motion, raised by Nimaichand under rules of procedure and conduct of business, rule no. 78(l), was in connection with the detention of MPP MLA O Joy's son O Brojen by Assam Rifles personnel at the western side of the family welfare department on July 19 last. After the Speaker Dhananjoy announced in the Assembly that the privilege motion would not be admitted, but did not give the reason, Nimaichand tried to raise a point of order in this connection, but this too was disallowed by the Speaker, leading to the entire Opposition walking out in protest. The Speaker informed the House that there was a privilege motion moved by Nimaichand Luwang MLA and another two censor motions moved against the RD and PR minister, N Bihari Singh by O Joy Singh and K Loken and another against co-operation minister, W Thoiba Singh by O Joy Singh and Nimaichand Luwang. The Speaker said the privilege motion has not been admitted, though the censor motions were reserved after having done necessary examinations. At this Luwang contended the privilege motion should at least be informed in the house and it should as well be discussed by the House as per rule of business conduct breach of privilege 78 (1) but the Speaker refused to accept the view. At this stage Luwang pleaded again that the motion should be placed in the House for consideration but when the Speaker refused to listen to this, the Opposition staged a walk out and the 47 demands for excess advance grants were passed after it was moved by the finance minister H Lokhon Singh. The demands for excess grants amount to Rs 114931462, Rs 207781145 and Rs 311719070 for the years 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97 respectively.