Kohima, March 21: The 15th session of the 12th Assembly commenced today and will continue till March 30 with five sittings in total. The budget session 2017 being the first session of the year, the governor addressed the House and summarized the policies and programs, achievements and plans of the government.
During the proceedings of the first day, besides the election of a new Speaker, chief minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu made obituary reference on the passing away of late Jayalalithaa, the sitting chief minister of Tamil Nadu who passed away on December 5, 2016, while deputy speaker Imtikumzuk made obituary references for former MLAs late Mhonshan Murry who passed away on January 1 last, late KV Pusa who passed away on January 3, and former MLA and Interim Body member late Tokheho Sema who passed away on January 12. The House observed two minutes of silence in their memory.
Later, MLA Dr Longrineken moved the motion of thanks on the governor’s address and MLA Neiphrezo Keditsu seconded the motion. Deputy speaker Imtikumzuk announced that any amendment to the governor’s address is to be submitted on March 22, while discussion and adoption of the motion will be done on March 23 and 24.
The chief minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present the budget for 2017-18 on March 28 while discussion and voting will take place on March 30.
Following his election as the new NLA speaker today, Dr Imtiwapang Aier presided over the proceedings of the House, relieving the deputy speaker from the charge. After completion of the business listed for the day, the speaker adjourned the House till March 23, 9.30 am.
This session is significant as it has a new leader of the House in the person of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu who became the chief minister on February 22 last after TR Zeliang stepped down from the chair; the House now has 61 members, 60 elected and the chief minister, who is not an elected representative; a newly elected Speaker; and this will be the last budget session of the NPF-led DAN government before it faces the state elections in 2018.
This session will have question hour, unlike the few previous sessions, which wound up in lesser than 30 minutes and had churned scathing criticism from the public. Official sources have confirmed the receipt of five starred questions and five unstarred questions for the current session.
