Voice of People Party (VPP) legislator Brightstarwell Marbaniang expressed significant disappointment in the Meghalaya Assembly regarding Speaker Thomas A. Sangma’s decision to reject a proposed short-duration discussion on the illegal coal mine explosion in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area, which has resulted in 33 fatalities. Marbaniang raised a point of order under Rule 282 to emphasize the discussion’s urgency concerning enforcement failures and the lack of accountability following the tragic loss of life. He clarified that the motion was not politically motivated; instead, it sought to address governance and regulatory failures without interfering with the judicial process concerning individual criminal liability.
The legislator underscored that treating administrative lapses connected to ongoing police cases or litigation as sub judice could severely limit the Assembly’s capability to address significant state crises. He asserted the importance of maintaining legislative oversight over public safety and policy, warning that overly broad restrictions might weaken the House’s function in overseeing the executive, particularly regarding the persistent issue of illegal mining disasters.
In response, Speaker Sangma explained that the discussion had been disallowed due to advice from the Mining and Geology Department, which informed the Chair that the matter was sub judice as of February 17. The Advocate General’s opinion further supported this decision to prevent discussion on the subject within the Assembly.