NLA Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer and NLA Commissioner & Secretary, Dr PJ Anthony speaking to the media in Kohima on July 23. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 23
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker, Sharingan Longkumer today said that meticulous arrangements have to be made for the forthcoming 6th Session of the 13th NLA maintaining SOPS for COVID-19.
Talking to media persons in his office chamber here today, Longkumer said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the session was called for a single day sitting.
Seating arrangements also had to be re-arranged by accommodating 30 members in the main chamber and the rest of the members will be accommodated in the Officers' Gallery following the social distancing norms.
The Central Hall has 30 benches which accommodates 2 members per bench. But in the light of COVID SOPS “we are allocating just one member per bench,” said Longkumer
Longkumer said that in light of the current situation and in an effort to uphold Constitutional requirements, the 6th Session of the 13th NLA was summoned on July 30 in consultation with Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi.
1 hour discussion on COVID-19 pandemic
Longkumer meanwhile informed that obituary reference will be refereed separately and one full hour will be given for question hour. “We have received 27 questions,” he said, adding that most of the questions are related to the COVID-19 situation, some on medical and national highways departments.
In addition to this, a full one hour discussion on COVID-19 pandemic situation was also considered and accepted during the meeting of Business Advisory Committee (BAC) held on July 20.
35 minutes will be allocated to the Opposition and 25 minutes to the Treasury bench, he said.
No Public Gallery
The speaker also informed that there will not be a Public Gallery for this session. He also said that sanitizers and N95 masks will be provided to all members attending the session. Efforts will be made to avoid crowded scenes within the premises of NLA Secretariat.
Sensitization on social distancing protocols will also be initiated for security personnel and drivers coming with members of NLA, while four to five medical teams will be present.
Rejects discussion on Governor’s letter to CM
The Speaker said that suggestion by some members during the BAC meeting that the Governor's letter to the Office of the Chief Minister Nagaland be included in the discussion has been rejected.
“The Governor, being the Constitutional head of the state, is not expected to be discussed in the House and hence I out rightly rejected that suggestion,” Longkumer stated.
He, however, indicated that the Naga political issue can be discussed in the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) which was proposed to be held after the Assembly Session on the same day, subject to confirmation from the Leader of the Opposition.
“As soon as I receive a confirmation from the Leader of the Opposition I am ready to call a JLF meeting in which we may discuss the Naga political issue, and any other related matter,” the Speaker said.
Meanwhile, he said that discussion on SARFAESI Act as suggested by the NPF, could not be accommodated.
