Meghalaya Autumn Session | House witnesses heated arguments over word “homework”

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 11, 2020

The state Assembly on Wednesday witnessed heated arguments between the ruling and opposition as the latter took offense when the power minister, James K Sangma asked a member to do his homework terming it as “derogatory remarks”.

Soon after the question hour was over, Congress legislator from Umroi, George B Lyngdoh expressed disappointment that the Power Minister James K Sangma during the course of his reply had asked the former to do proper homework.

“I was asked to do my homework while coming to the house. I am so offended…the minister was intending to insult me and the people of Umroi constituency. I expect an apology and those words be expunged from the proceedings of the House,” George said.

When Deputy Chief Minister in-charge parliamentary affairs, Prestone Tynsong defended that by saying do your homework is not derogatory remark and that the member should have raised the issue during the question hour and he has the right to lodge an official complaint to the Speaker, George said the rules provide the space to raise the issue during interval time (before taking up the next item).

The Umroi MLA however said that he has never witnessed such derogatory remarks being made against the members of the house as he appealed to the ruling to stop insulting members.

In his support, Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma said this is the first time in the history of the House when a minister was heard asking a member to come with appropriate homework.

“This is truly not expected and it has never happened in this august house. This unhealthy precedent should be avoided as it is not in consistent with the dignity and decorum of this house,” he said while requesting the Speaker to give his ruling on the matter.

Further defending his power minister, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the matter is a minor issue and has been unnecessary brought up to this level due to over reaction from the members.

Admitting that it is the right of the opposition to ask questions, Conrad however said, “But point is we have one hour for question hour. If you are expected to ask the minister what is the full form of MeECL, when was MeECL formed – there are certain questions you need to ask by doing your own homework as when you come to the house. You don’t come as person who does not understand anything and ask any question you ask you cannot do that you have to be a responsible member and ask responsible questions.”

He continued, “It is a genuine thing for a minister to ask do your homework, it is fair and nothing wrong in it. If the point goes that ruling doing your homework is a derogatory remark, I think we will find many derogatory remarks in this house and we have to be very clear this is not a derogatory remark as we know what is derogatory and unparliamentary… If this is being considered as a derogatory remark then will have to come up with million words that opposition had used against or ministers when asking questions they can all be derogatory remarks. This will set precedence.”

While clarifying, power minister, James K Sangma said that by saying do your homework he meant it in the right spirit and that in no way meant to be derogatory adding it was rather an advice and not disrespecting the member.

Meanwhile giving his ruling, Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh said that the word “homework” is not unparliamentary and that the minister in-charge power has expressed regret and that he does not mean to disrespect the member from Umroi.

Lyngdoh also requested all members to ensure respect for each other is maintained at all times inside the House.