Drawing attention of a news item published in a section of the local media, wherein an undisclosed NPF legislator had claimed that legislators were not allowed to ask questions in the Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs minister, Kiyanilie Peseyie has categorically clarified that the statement was “highly reprehensible and ridiculous”.
He further said that the statement was “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 headed by T.R. Zeliang by projecting it as an autocratic/ despotic government.”
In a press note, to put the record straight, Peseyie pointed out that it was 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.
In the case of Nagaland, Peseyie said, he as the Parliamentary Affairs minister, convenes coordination meeting of all NPF legislators before the Assembly session, while the chief minister convenes a coordination meeting of the DAN legislators.
During such meetings, he said far from restricting legislators to ask questions, the chief minister and senior ministers encourage members to ask questions and give constructive criticisms on the functioning of the various departments. This is done so in order to let the legislators get acquainted 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.
He said that the ministers themselves 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.
“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”, he said.
Rather than muffling the voices of dissent and criticism from the ruling legislators themselves, Peseyie said it was left to the wisdom of the legislators to raise any issue or question pertaining to their constituencies or elsewhere.
With regard to the legislator’s remark on the Cabinet decision on the 33% reservation for women in the Urban Local Bodies and ratification of the GST Bill, Peseyie said he could say that the legislator had “a poor and limited knowledge about the legal realities as well as the positive implications of the Goods & Services Tax Bill, 2016”.
In the case of issuance of whips to all party legislators, Peseyie said that “the legislator who had gone to the media would do well to familiarise himself with democratic practices and norms.”
Reminding the legislator that the whip was an official, appointed by the party to maintain discipline among, secure attendance of, and give necessary information to, members of his party.
Pointing out that it was a practice as old as democracy, Peseyie said there was nothing extraordinary to ensure members abide by the party rules, principles and stand on various issues.
In this regard, Peseyie has 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,” he added.
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