Congress MLAs stage walk out during budget session

The six-day budget session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly began today, but witnessed a walkout by eight Congress legislators, including former ministers Tanga Bylaing and Tapang Taloh, Nyamar Karbak, Techi Kaso, Dikto Yekar, Karya Bagang, Mama Natung, Nikh Kamin.

Byaling, however, took part in the obituary reference for former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, but termed the session illegal, as the Congress Party does not recognise it in the wake of it being sub judice before the Supreme Court.

The state has been witness to political upheaval that saw a clear division of 45 Congress MLAs and the toppling of a fovernment headed by former chief minister Nabam Tuki.

Objecting to the walkout by the Congress Party, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Wanglin Lowangdong said the Kalikho Pul-led government is legal and constitutionally enjoys an absolute majority.

Speaker Wangki Lowang led members in paying rich tributes to former P.A. Sangma for his invaluable services to the nation as Meghalaya chief minister, union minister and Lok Sabha speaker, and particularly strengthening parliamentary democracy.

Lowang termed Sangma as a veteran leader who had entered the gallery of who's who of national politics, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul recalled Sangma's political career as a true nationalist and the first tribal, Christian and person from yje north east to rise to such coveted posts. The house stood in silence for a minute to pay its respect to the departed soul.

Pul introduced the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism (Trade Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2016 and the Arunachal Pradesh Right to Public Services Bill, 2016 without any financial involvement. The Right to Public Services Bill reflects the commitment of the government of Arunachal Pradesh to serve the masses in a transparent manner and make public servants accountable, while the Tourism Bill would ensure the growth of the sector, providing jobs and enriching the state coffer.

Besides transacting other business, Speaker Lowang announced that Tage Taki, Tumke Bagra, P D Sona and Phoshum Khimhun would be the panel of chairmen before adjourning the house for the day.