Delhi Assembly accepts privilege notice against English daily

New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) The Delhi Legislative Assembly today accepted a Privilege notice against an English daily for an article appearing in today's edition of the newspaper.

A 'Breach of Privilege and Contempt of House' notice was moved in the house by Bhalaswa Jahangirpuri MLA Zile Singh Chauhan against 'The Times of India' for its article 'Delhi MLAs get Rs 40k for 10-min workday' that appeared in today's edition of the newspaper.

Terming the article as a "contempt of the House", Mr Chauhan demanded that the editor of the newspaper and other journalists concerned with the article be summoned in the House and strict action be taken against them.

''The editor and the correspondent who has written the said article should be summoned in the Assembly as the article amounts to character assassination of the members of the House.

Ruling on the notice, Speaker Prem Singh said,''I feel that this matter pertains to insult of Parliamentary traditions and institutions and the House treats it very seriously. I feel journalists need to be aware of their limits.'' He said strict action would be taken against the concerned journalists within the purview of the rules of the House.

Speaking on the matter, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said,''it is surprising that a responsible newspaper has expressed such a viewpoint. What has been said about the working of the House is scandalous. So, whatever needs to be done to protect the dignity of the House should be done. A warning needs to be issued to those responsible for the article to remain within the limits of journalistic ethos.'' Referring to the article, Ms Dikshit said, ''the House has, in the last nine years, worked with full dignity and every MLA has devolved their duty towards their constituency. Further, Delhi Assembly is considered one of the best Assemblies in the entire country. Tbne attendance level in the House is far better than in other state Assemblies across the country.'' Earlier, speaking on the issue, BJP MLA Vijay Jolly said,''the basic attributes made in the article in the name of members of the House is scandalous. Those responsible for such a scandalou article should not be allowed to go scot free.'' Leader of the Opposition Jagdish Mukhi said,''there is a certain dignity associated with the House and any act that lowers the dignity is condemnable.'' UNI