Rights’ forum tells governor to suspend parliamentary secretaries and advisers

Dimapur, Sep. 9 (EMN): Despite the governor’s refusal to act on the Nagaland Tribes Council’s (NTC) call to remove all parliamentary secretaries and advisors designated by the government of Nagaland, the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has asked governor to execute the same.
In a press release issued today, the NPRAAF told Governor, PB Acharya not to ‘waste a minute’ on the ‘matter of unconstitutional appointments of parliamentary secretaries and advisors taking due consideration the Supreme Court judgement.’
“The Supreme Court Bench comprising of Justice J Chelamswar, Justice RK Agrawal, sand Justice AM Sapre has declared appointment, salaries, allowances and miscellaneous provisions as unconstitutional act, while giving a landmark judgement on Assam Parliamentary secretaries Act of 2004.
“The question posed before the Court was whether article 194 (3) and entry 39 of List II of the 7th schedule authorized the state legislature to make the impugned Act. Entry 39 indicates the field of legislation regarding the powers, privileges, and Immunities of a member and committee of a house of such legislature,” it reminded.
“It is very unfortunate that the Governor of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh PB Acharya still allows the two state governments to retain unconstitutional post of parliamentary secretaries and Advisors defying the Supreme Court judgement. The governor should not remain oblivious to the issue as his sole role is to protect the constitution and not run the government.
“The credibility of the governor would be enhanced if he acts before the ultimate judgement of the Kohima Bench of Guwahati High Court which is bound to be in line with several High Court and Supreme Court judgment.”
It has asked the governor to act fearlessly ‘in tune with the Constitution of India to instil peoples’ confidence in the governor’s office.’