Shillong, Feb 18: MLAs are prohibited from recording and circulating videos of Assembly proceedings, the Speaker, Thomas A Sangma, ruled today following yesterday’s circulation of a clip shot by Nongkrem legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit.
“A member has taken a selfie video of himself while participating in the proceedings inside the house yesterday. It was circulated in social media,” Sangma said without mentioning Basaiawmoit, of the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP), by name.
“This is a breach of parliamentary practice and decorum and also not in keeping with the spirit of the rules to be observed by members provided by Rule 275 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.”
The Speaker invoked Rule 315 in delivering his ruling and said, “Therefore, in exercise of Rule 315… I hereby inform the House that such activity — a member taking video of himself while speaking inside the House and circulating it on social media — is prohibited. This is my ruling.”
This was one of a few instances of MLAs failing to observe proper decorum in the ongoing Budget Session. Yesterday Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma referred to “Mr Thomas” instead of the proper address of ‘Mr Speaker’. This was brought to the attention of the house by Nongthymmai MLA Charles Pyngrope.
The CM then tried to make light of the matter but this was met by reproach by Leader of the Opposition and Songsak MLA Dr Mukul Sangma who said that the issue was not a joking matter. Both Pyngrope and Dr Sangma are from the opposition Trinamool Congress.
Responding to Pyngrope’s objection, the Speaker said that he would examine the matter and get back.
Then, today, the house had to be adjourned following a shouting match between Basaiawmoit, the CM and Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong. The feed to the official Meghalaya Assembly channel was also cut during the fracas. In standard parliamentary procedure legislators do not direct statements to each other but only through the Speaker.
