Tamil Nadu   

Minister clarifies on report

With reference to the report, `Government has not fulfilled promises,' published in The Hindu on January 21, Minister for Public Works O. Panneerselvam writes: "Your reporter under the sub-caption `CM's remarks expunged' seeks to give an impression that our Leader, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu spoke in a manner which was not in accordance with the conventions and rules of the Legislative Assembly and therefore, her remarks had to be expunged. This is mischievous and far from the truth.

"While replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's Address, Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan raised certain issues pending in the courts and also made certain uncalled for and sweeping remarks regarding issues which are sub judice. Though the Hon'ble Speaker pointed out to Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan that such remarks were against the conventions and rules of the Assembly, Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan he continued to speak in the same manner. At that point of time, our leader, the Hon'ble Chief Minister intervened in the discussions and clarified the position relating to a certain matter pending in the court. Even so, Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan continued to hold forth on various matters pending in the courts. The Hon'ble Speaker again intervened in the matter and cautioned Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan that all his remarks would have to be expunged from the records. However, since Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan continued to speak in the same vein, the Hon'ble Speaker ruled that Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan's remarks were to be expunged from the Assembly records. At this juncture, the Hon'ble Chief Minister requested the Hon'ble Speaker to also expunge the reply made by her to the remarks of Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan. Thereupon, the Hon'ble Speaker expunged the Hon'ble Chief Minister's remarks on the above mentioned issue from the Assembly records. It is therefore quite clear, that it was on the specific request of our leader that the clarificatory remarks made by our leader to the original remarks of Thiru S.R. Balasubramoniyan were also expunged from the records.

"When the position is as stated above, your reporter has unfortunately tried to give the impression that it was our leader who spoke in a manner not in keeping with the conventions of the Assembly and therefore her remarks were expunged. This is far from the truth as explained above. I request you to ensure that your reporters do not indulge in such skewed reporting in matters concerning our leader."

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