Eight Meghalaya legislators sworn in as Parliamentary Secretaries

Shillong, Mar 24 (UNI) Eight Parliamentary Secretaries were today administered the oath of office by Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy in the presence of his Cabinet Ministers.

Newly sworn-in Parliamentary Secretaries were Nihim D Shira, Philipole Marak, Marcuise Marak, James K Sangma, Desang M Sangma, Omilio K Sangma, all from Nationalist Congress Party, and two United Democratic Party MLAs Remington Pyngrope and lone lady MLA M Ampareen Lyngdoh.

Talking to mediapersons, Dr Roy assured that the Parliamentary Secretaries would not be silent spectators as they would be entrusted with the duty of assisting the Ministers.

The Chief Minister also said these Parliamentary secretaries would be assigned specific duties in the light of the complaints in the past that there was no particular job given to them.

''We will instruct the Ministers to route the files through the Parliamentary Secretaries,'' Dr Roy said, adding they could also take part in the discussions in the Assembly.

Two NCP Legislators, Sanbor Shullai and Adolf Hitler Marak, would be appointed Deputy Speaker and Government Chief whip respectively.

The Chief Minister was also contemplating appointing others as Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations.

Dr Roy also assured that while appointing them, measures would be taken to see that there was no additional expenditure.

Meanwhile, NCP MLA and general Secretary P A Sangma told reporters that his party had withdrawn the earlier case filed against Meghalaya Governor S S Sidhu in the Supreme Court after inviting the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) to form the government.

The case was supposed to be taken up today.

''With the formation of the government, we have decided not to pursue the case,'' Mr Sangma said.

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