Nagaland AG makes statement in House to buttress CM's point

The Nagaland advocate general Saturday appeared in the state Assembly to buttress Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's argument made earlier in the House that he is within his rights to authorise any minister to reply to MLAs' questions.

Opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) staged a walk-out during the Question Hour on this issue earlier Saturday, alleging that the ruling People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) was not following the laid down rules and procedures of the House.

Leader of Opposition T R Zeliang expressed unhappiness over Urban Development Minister Metsubo Jamir replying to a supplementary of the Rural Development (RD) Department.

Rio, who is also the minister in-charge of RD, then informed the House that he has authorised some of his cabinet ministers to reply to some of the questions.

Any minister can reply to any questions, Rio said
Later addressing the media at his chamber in Assembly, Zeliang said there has been no such precedence nor any laid down rule for one minister to reply to questions on another department. It has to be the Leader of the House or the minister in-charge only."