Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today said that the autumn session of the State Assembly will be as per the calendar approved by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) which is five days.
“This is exactly the same number of days as in the past. We have not decreased the session,” Sangma told media persons.
He also said that as per the practice in Meghalaya, the House session has been decided “more or less” by the BAC.
“The BAC has got members from the opposition and they have jointly decided. Individual members could have concerns but there are rules and procedures that are followed. As per rules and procedures, BAC decides on the number of days and as per BAC decision this is going forward,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) had expressed dissatisfaction with the short duration of the autumn session and demanded that the duration should be extended by a few more days so that issues of public importance could be raised and discussed.
As per the calendar decided by the BAC, there will be five working days of which three days have been allotted for government business and two days for private members’ business.
On the first day of the session on September 15, the Speaker will announce the report of the Business Advisory Committee. The State government will lay ordinances, orders, notifications, reports, rules and regulations.
Besides government bills which will also be tabled on the first day of the sessions, the government will also present the Supplementary Demands for Grants and Supplementary Appropriation for 2023-24. There will also be obituary references.
On September 19, private members’ business will be taken up in the form of private member bills, motions and resolutions.
On September 20, the House will vote on Supplementary Demands for Grants.
Again on September 21, private members’ business will be taken up where bills, motions and resolutions will be raised by members.
On the final day on September 22, the House will vote on Supplementary Demands for Grants and pass the Meghalaya Appropriation (No. III) Bill, 2023 and other government bills.
