Imphal, February 20, 2010: The present Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Th Megharaj will be retiring on the last day of this month.

His retirement doesn't necessarily have to be a cause for worries to the custodians of the House, for there are Manipuris who are qualified enough to be Secretary of the Manipur Assembly Secretariat.

The feelings of concern that after the retirement of the present Assembly Secretary, Th Megharaj, none of the remaining employees of the Assembly Secretariat is qualified enough to fill the vacancy, primarily arose due to the fact that true merit and possible future lapses had apparently not been given due consideration as ought to have been while appointing employees/officers for the Assembly Secretariat.

As it is, at present there is none among the rest of the officers qualified to fill the post of Secretary once Megharaj goes on retirement.

As per rules, the post of state Assembly Secretary can be filled up by an IAS officer on deputation basis.

The same can also be filled on deputation from the Parliament, which is being pratised in other states.

After the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations on pay revision, the rank of Deputy Secretary or Joint Director of Parliament is now equivalent to the rank of the Joint Director of a State Assembly.

There is no difference in the pay scale of a Joint Secretary of Assembly with that of Joint Director of the Parliament.

A highly reliable source said that around 50 persons from Manipur alone are currently serving in the Parliament.

Among them, Samom Dasobanta is serving as Joint Director, who could be deputed as Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

He has three years' working experience as Joint Director in the Parliament.

So, there can be no dispute on the legal aspects in appointing him as Assembly Secretary, if the Speaker desires.

In the appointment of Assembly Secretary, the role of Speaker is significant.

The state government has no power to interfere in the decision of the Speaker.

But, the Governor will appoint the Secretary on the recommendation of the Speaker.

The Governor can reject only when if the person recommended by the Speaker is found to have been involved in corruption and bribery cases or criminal cases.

The post of the Assembly Secretary will be lying vacant from February 28 as the present Secretary Th Megharaj is to be retired on superannuation from that day, and on the other hand the state Assembly session is knocking on the door.

The 7th session of the state Assembly is likely to re-convene from March 7 or 8.The date may be decided by the state Cabinet of which next meeting has been scheduled for Monday at 3 pm.

Considering the nearness of the Assembly session, the service period of the present Secretary may be extended but it needs consent of the Governor.

herefore, the ball is now said to be in the court of the Governor.

The 7th session of the state Assembly is likely to re-convene from March 7 or 8.The date may be decided by the state Cabinet of which next meeting has been scheduled for Monday at 3 pm.

Considering the nearness of the Assembly session, the service period of the present Secretary may be extended but it needs consent of the Governor.

Therefore, the ball is now said to be in the court of the Governor.

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