Five Cong MLAs sworn in as parliamentary secys in Manipur

IMPHAL: Expanding the administrative apparatus of the Okram Ibobi Singh government's 3{+r}{+d} consecutive term, five young Congress MLAs were appointed as parliamentary secretaries on Monday.
In a function held at the CM's office here, Ibobi Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to the five young MLAs - M Prithiviraj, K Meghachandra, Md Amin Shah, Victor Keishing and V Valte.Their portfolios were, however, not announced immediately.
The ruling Congress won a landslide victory with a never-before figure of 42 seats in the 60-member house in the 10th assembly polls held in January this year.
Official sources said the status of a parliamentary secretary is more or less equivalent to that of a minister of state.
The parliamentary secretaries' induction came after its Bill "The Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2012" was passed in the last monsoon session after a heated debate in the house.
The opposition had opposed the bill saying that more expenditure would be incurred from the state's exchequer if the posts are given.
Political analysts said the posts have been given to appease the legislatures who were not happy being left out in the ministerial berths.
Even as the post of five parliamentary secretaries have been appointed, some more posts like deputy chairman of Manipur State Planning Board (MSPB) and chairman of five different government undertaking corporation and boards are yet to be appointed.
If the power department converts into a corporation, another post of its chairman would also be appointed from amongst the legislatures.