DIMAPUR, MARCH 31 (MExN): Saying that in a Parliamentary democracy, the Leader of the Opposition is recognized and held in high pedestal, the NPCC today said the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 specifically exempts the Office of the Leader of Opposition from being deemed as an office of profit. “By such an exemption, it is implied that the Leader of Opposition in the States are being exempted from being deemed as an Office of Profit,” an NPCC release said.
The NPCC said this shows “the confused state of minds of the complainants” to the Governor asking for disqualification of I Imkong, Leader of the Opposition wherein they had stated, “The Office of the Leader of Opposition is an office of profit.”
It was stated that the salaries and allowances, accommodation and all other facilities, entitlement and status of Leader of Opposition in Nagaland is provided under the Nagaland Leader of Opposition, Salaries and Allowances Act, 1992 (Act No. 5 of 1992) and the Nagaland Leader of Opposition, Salary and Allowances (Amendment) Act 1999 and the Nagaland Salaries, Allowances and other facilities of Ministers, Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker, Parliamentary Secretaries and other members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members Act, 2005. “It clearly shows that the Leader of the Opposition in Nagaland is getting the privileges and facilities in terms of the above Acts, and nothing more and nothing less.”
It was further stated that when the Nagaland Leader of Opposition, Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 1999 was introduced, it was most logical that the views and comments of the incumbent was sought or obtained.
“It clearly shows that the Leader of the Opposition is not getting any facilities, emoluments which attracts disqualification under Article 191 (1) (a) of the Constitutions of India,” the release said.
“In fact, the present DAN Government under the leadership of Shri Neiphiu Rio had earned the dubious distinction of claiming that the Leader of the Opposition is an ‘Office of Profit’ thereby putting the Naga people into much embarrassment before others.”
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