The Hindu : Kerala News : Azhikode, the reporter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006
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Kerala

Kerala

Azhikode, the reporter

Sukumar Azhikode, critic, donned the role of a reporter to cover the day's Assembly proceedings on Tuesday.

Seated in the media gallery among the press corps, Prof. Azhikode cast an eagle eye on the performance of the legislators.

Later addressing newspersons at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, he expressed dismay that many MLAs were not thorough with the Constitution.

Referring to a motion moved by the Congress leader K.V. Thomas on the threat to wetlands, he said none of the legislators had pointed out that it amounted to a violation of the Constitution.

Prof. Azhikode proposed holding a periodic quiz for MLAs on the Constitution. "Those members who fail to answer 50 per cent of the questions should have their allowances cut," he proposed.

Prof. Azhikode stressed the need for a mechanism in the Assembly to ensure that the promises made to the people are honoured.

"The commitments made by the Government should not be left to auditors alone to scrutinise. The Assembly has to judge the action taken on each promise. The stock reply that the issue is under consideration should be banned by the Speaker," he said.

Prof. Azhikode flayed the tendency of some members to waste time raising pointless issues and repeating points during question hour.

He, however, lauded the clear and concise manner in which Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim and Local Self-Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty addressed the House. "The Assembly is not the place to demonstrate oratorical skills," he added.

Prof. Azhikode also had a word of advice for the reporters.

"Mediapersons are not mere representatives of newspapers. They also represent the people. They have a responsibility to impart political education to the people," he said.

T. NANDAKUMAR

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