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House not to give video recording of proceedings to court

Special Correspondent

It can pass on text of the proceedings, says Speaker

Assembly Speaker K. Radhakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly has informed the High Court that it cannot give a video recording of its proceedings as evidence to the court.

Replying to questions at a news conference here on Monday, Speaker K. Radhakrishnan said the position of the House had been communicated to the High Court on the basis of an opinion received from the Privileges Committee of the House. The House had no difficulty in passing on the text of the proceedings which was equally authoritative, he pointed out.

The court had sought the video recording in connection with a writ petition against M.J. Jacob, CPI(M) legislator.

Replying to the High Court Registrar’s letter in this regard, the Legislature Secretary had explained that the House could not part with the video records which were meant only to help the Speaker decide on contentious issues.

The High Court, however, reiterated its demand. Following this, the Speaker referred the matter to the Privileges Committee.

Mr. Radhakrishnan, who had met reporters to explain the concluding programmes of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of the Assembly, said that efforts would be made from the next session of the House to hold short-duration discussions on major reports that were placed in the House. The Speaker said the valedictory session of the golden jubilee celebrations would be inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil on April 30. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan would be the guest of honour at the function which would be presided over by Governor R.L. Bhatia.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and leaders of various parties would address the meeting. A book containing the legislations enacted by the State Assembly during the last 50 years and a CD containing Assembly proceedings since 12th Kerala Assembly would be released at the function.

The concluding part of the golden jubilee celebrations would begin on Tuesday with an orientation programme for mediapersons on the theme ‘Legislature and the Media.’

It would be inaugurated by the Speaker at a function to be chaired by Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran. Defence Minister A.K. Antony would inaugurate a seminar on ‘Kerala – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ on April 25.

Leaders such as Pinarayi Vijayan, Ramesh Chennithala, Veliyam Bhargavan, P.K. Kunhalikkutty, K.M. Mani, P.J. Joseph, V.P. Ramakrishna Pillai and M.P. Veerendra Kumar would address the seminar.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court K.G. Balakrishnan would inaugurate a seminar on ‘Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary’ on April 26. Sitaram Yechury, member of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau, and Congress leader Margaret Alva would address.On April 28, Union Minister E. Ahamed would inaugurate a workshop on ‘Ways to Improve the Functioning of the Legislature.’

Exhibition

An exhibition of documents dealing with the history of the State Assembly would be on at the Assembly library from April 22 to 26. A sports meet for legislators would also be held on April 23 and 24.

The ‘Jubilee Day’ observance would be inaugurated by former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran on April 27. Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy would give away the prizes for winners in the contests for MLAs on April 28, the Speaker said.

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