Meghalaya HC Upholds Assembly Speaker’s Decision on CAG Report Discussion

The Meghalaya High Court upheld the decision of the Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma, who declined a special motion for discussing a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report during this year’s budget session, by rejecting a petition filed by an opposition party MLA.

Adelbert Nongrum

The Speaker denied the special motion put forth by Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator Adelbert Nongrum, who later contested the decision in the high court.

The MLA from North Shillong sought a discussion on the CAG report concerning the social and economic sectors for the year ending March 31, 2022, for Meghalaya.

The Judge

Justice HS Thangkhiew, in the order, stated that the Speaker’s decision “cannot be deemed illegal or unconstitutional, despite the matter’s grave public importance.

“Judicial review, therefore, not being available due to the application of Article 212 of the Constitution, this writ petition is not entertained and is accordingly dismissed.”

According to Article 122(2), the decision of the Speaker, vested with powers to regulate the procedure and conduct of business, is final and binding on every member of the House.

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