KOHIMA, AUGUST 26 (MExN): Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie today responded to reports quoting an unnamed NPF legislator as stating that legislators are not allowed to ask questions in the Assembly.
The Minister stated that this statement is “highly reprehensible since it is devoid of any truth or basis, and appears to be a mischievous statement with the intention of tarnishing the image, reputation and integrity of the present Government.”
Peseyie stated that it is a democratic tradition followed by heads of all Governments to call for a coordination meeting of the Parliamentarians/ Legislators prior to the Parliament/ Legislative sessions.
“And in the case of Nagaland, I, as the Minister in Charge of Parliamentary Affairs, convene a coordination meeting of all the NPF Legislators before the Assembly session, or the Chief Minister convenes a coordination meeting of the DAN legislators just like the one convened yesterday at 4 pm at Kohima,” he said.
The Minister informed that in these meetings, far from restricting legislators to ask questions, the Chief Minister and senior Ministers “encourage the members to ask questions and give constructive criticisms on the functioning of the various departments so that they can acquaint themselves with the activities of the Government departments, check irregularities if any, and also keep the Government officials on their toes to deliver goods to the people.”
The Ministers themselves, he added, “urge the legislators to ask questions in their respective departments since the goal is to provide good governance to the people as enshrined in the Party Constitution and election Manifesto.”
Peseyie added that in the absence of an opposition in the 12th Legislative Assembly, “it is unimaginable that good governance can be provided if ruling Legislators themselves do not give constructive suggestions, opinions and even criticisms as and when required.”
Therefore, rather than muffling the voices of dissent and criticism from the ruling Legislators themselves, it is left to the wisdom of the Legislators to raise any issue or question pertaining to their Constituencies or elsewhere, he said.
Regarding the quoted legislator’s reported comments on the Cabinet decision on the 33% reservation for women in the Urban Local Bodies, and also the ratification of the GST Bill, Peseyie stated: “I can only say that the legislator has a poor and limited knowledge about the legal realities as well as the positive implications of the Goods & Services Tax Bill, 2016.”
On the issuance of Whips to all party Legislators, he said that the legislator who had gone to the media “would do well to familiarise himself with democratic practices and norms.” “Whip, he should know, is an official appointed by the party to maintain discipline among, secure attendance of, and give necessary information to, members of his party. It is a practice as old as Democracy and there is nothing extraordinary to ensure members abide by the party rules, Principles and stand on various issues,” he stated.
The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs further appealed to all legislators to “feel free and ask whatever questions they want to ask whether in the Assembly or outside the Assembly. After all, as elected representatives of the people, we are here to ensure that the people are not deprived in any manner, nor should we let irregularities go unchecked.”
