Speaker mulls stopping of live TV coverage of Assam Assembly

GUWAHATI: Assam Assembly Speaker Pranab Kumar Gogoi today said he is considering to stop live TV coverage of House proceedings after opposition AIUDF staged a walkout with their adjournment motion over an issue not accepted by the Chair.

Witnessing unruly scenes at the beginning of the Zero Hour on the first day of the Winter Session of the Assembly, the Speaker said, "Many of you (MLAs) are playing to gallery and behave in such way for publicity."

Terming such behaviour as unfortunate, Gogoi said, "The members behave to get noticed during live TV coverage. I am now thinking to stop live TV coverage from inside the House."

He said such unruly behaviour of the people's representatives diminish the stature of the House which affects its dignity.

Live coverage by all television channels from inside the House is allowed only for the Question Hour everyday.

Earlier, the Speaker did not allow AIUDF's demand for an adjournment motion over withdrawal of subsidised food-grains by the Centre to tea garden workers.

AIUDF MLA Hafiz Bashir Ahmed sought the Speaker's permission to discuss the issue.

However, Gogoi refused it citing a rule of the House. He said, "You (AIUDF) have asked to raise the same topic under Short Notice as well. One topic by the same party cannot be discussed under two different section. So, I cannot allow the adjournment motion."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamani Sen Deka also echoed the Speaker's view.