MPCC questions Henry’s ministerial status

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 27: Claiming that Okram Henry has overstayed the permissible period of serving as a Minis-ter in the Biren Government, the Manipur Pradesh Con-gress Committee (MPCC) has questioned the ministerial status of the legislator elected from Wangkhei AC.
Speaking to media persons in the Congress Bha- van’s Rishang Keishing conference hall here today, MPCC general secretary S Jiten asserted that Governor Dr Najma Heptulla has failed to uphold Article 164 (4) of the Indian Constitution by keeping the minis- terial status of Okram Henry obscure.
The permissible period for O Henry to serve as a Minister in the Biren Government expired on March 23/24. If he signed any official file or document in the capacity of a Minister after March 23/24, the same should be treated as invalid, Jiten said.
MPCC legal department chairman Advocate N Jayentakumar remarked that whether the incumbent Government complies with the Constitution or not is a big question.
As per Article 164(4) of the Constitution, some one can be inducted as a Minister for a period of six months. After expiry of the six months, he/she must face election. If he/she is elected as an MLA, he can further serve as a Minister, Jayentakumar said.
As the Government itself has been claiming to be citizen-centric, the Government must inform the masses about the position of Okram Henry for he was appointed as a Minister for a limited period of six months and the six months had already lapsed, he said.
MPCC media department convenor Advocate Rabi Khan said that Okram Henry was inducted as a Minister under the incumbent Government on September 24, 2020 even though Henry was no longer an MLA at that point of time.
If Okram Henry is allowed to serve as a Minister any longer, it would be a gross violation of the Constitution, Rabi Khan said.
He asserted that there is no provision in any statute which permits a man who is not an MLA to serve as a Minister for more than six months.
He then urged the Governor and the Chief Minister to come out with a clarification whether Okram Henry   is still a Minister or not.