Responding to news item that appeared in local dailies on Wednesday on the issue of sacking of Mmhonlumo Kikon, MLA, from the post of Parliamentary Secretary, the CMO has said that the Chief Minister is not under any obligation to give any reason for the sacking.
It reasoned that as per the Constitution of India, and as per the conventions being followed in parliamentary democracy, the appointment or sacking of any minister is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and so is the case with parliamentary secretaries and advisers.
“The Chief Minister is not under obligation to give any reason or justification for such actions; and it is not normally done also,” the CMO stated.
It also clarified that in the case of any disciplinary action taken by any political party on suspension or expulsion from the party against any minister, parliamentary secretary, adviser or MLA, show cause notice is always served, and the concerned person is given an opportunity to defend himself, or to rebut the charges or allegations against him. “However, as sacking or dropping of a Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, Advisor etc from the Council of Minister is not a disciplinary action, no such procedures need to be followed be it in the State or Centre,” the CMO asserted.
The Lotha Hoho on Tuesday placed a number of queries before Chief Minister TR Zeliang following the sacking of Mmhonlumo Kikon as parliamentary secretary on October 28 and sought to know whether it was associated with the ongoing controversy over petroleum explorations.
Meanwhile, Dr. T.M. Lotha, advisor has been given charge of Labour & Employment and Skill Development. (With nputs from local dailies)