IMPHAL, Mar 17: The new Government led by BJP and Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren would undergo vote of confidence on March 20 and as decided by the State Cabinet, the first sitting of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly will commence from March 21.
The first Cabinet meeting of the new Government was held today at the Old Secretariat conference hall at 10 am with Chief Minister N Biren in the chair.
The Cabinet meeting went on for almost 3 hours.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, N Biren informed that a protem Speaker would be nominated and he/she would be administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Governor at Raj Bhavan at 10 am of March 19.
Congress MLA S Bira elected from Kumbi AC who is senior to all fellow MLAs elected to the 11th Manipur State Assembly may be nominated as pro-tem Speaker, informed a source.
After the pro-tem Speaker has been sworn in, he would administer the oath of office and secrecy to all the elected MLAs at 11 am of March 19.
A new Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly would be nominated on March 20 and the new Government led by Chief Minister N Biren would undergo the vote of confidence.
The Chief Minister stated that the first sitting of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly would be opened with Governor Dr Najma A Heptulla giving her customary inaugural address on March 21.
In addition to tabling the budget estimates, the new Government would also seek votes on accounts.
The Government would table some Bills on March 22 and the budget estimates would be discussed for due approval of the House. The House may pass the Bills on March 23. Talking about the UNC’s indefinite economic blockade, the new Chief Minister informed that they have been working to hold another round of meeting on March 19.
Additional Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and Commissioner of Works K Radhakumar will represent the State Government at the March 19 dialogue. The Central Government has also been requested to send a representative to the proposed meeting, he added. The Chief Minister, however, refused to give any time frame regarding distribution of portfolios and filling up Ministerial berths which are still vacant.
Source: The Sangai Express