KOHIMA, MAY 23 (MExN): The Committee on Petition (2025–26) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly held its first sitting on May 19 in the C. Chongshen Committee Room of the Assembly Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Benei M. Lamthiu, MLA.
The committee was constituted on March 8, 2025, under Rule 233 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. It comprises Benei M. Lamthiu as Chairperson and Tongpang Ozukum, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Namri Nchang, A Pongshi Phom, B. Bangtick Phom, and C. Manpon Konyak as members.
During the meeting, the Chairman highlighted the powers and responsibilities of the committee. He informed members that the committee examines every petition referred to it. If a petition meets the required rules, the committee may order its circulation. If not directed by the committee, the Speaker of the House may still order its circulation.
The committee reports its findings to the House on specific complaints mentioned in the petitions after examining the facts and taking evidence. It may suggest corrective steps either to address the specific case or to prevent such issues from happening again.
However, the committee will not consider certain types of petitions. These include anonymous letters or those without legible names or addresses; endorsement copies of letters addressed to authorities or officers of the Assembly Secretariat other than the Speaker or the House, unless there is a clear request seeking grievance redressal. Individuals, associations, or institutions wishing to submit petitions related to public grievances must send them in English or Nagamese. Each petition must be signed and dated by the petitioner(s) and countersigned by a Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, and addressed to the Secretary, Assembly Secretariat.
Petitions may relate to a bill published under Rule 64 or introduced in the House; any matter related to business pending before the House; or issues of general public interest. However, petitions will not be accepted if they relate to matters under the jurisdiction of courts, tribunals, commissions, or quasi-judicial bodies; those that should be raised in Parliament or another State Legislature; those that can be raised as substantive motions or resolutions; or those for which legal remedies already exist under rules, regulations, or by-laws framed by competent authorities.
