Karnataka Assembly Speaker reserves ruling on privilege issue

Bangalore, Aug 6 (UNI) Karnataka Assembly Speaker Krishna today reserved his ruling on a breach of privilege issue raised by Janata Dal(United) member J C Madhuswamy and others against Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M P Prakash.

Raising the issue Mr Madhuswamy and others contended that the minister had committed a breach of privilege following government's decision to allow a private organisation to provide meals to prison inmates in the afternoon.

Without naming the institution, Mr Madhuswamy recalled that the government had promised an inquiry into the alleged irregularities by the institution in the last session but had granted the fresh order, thereby committing breach of privilege of the house.

Mr Prakash argued that the issue did not come under the purview of privilege and urged the speaker to reject it on prima facie grounds. He clarified that the government had not committed any violation to show disrespect to the members of the house.

However, he apologised on behalf of the government for delay in ordering an inquiry as assured earlier. Issue of fresh order with regard to providing quality food to the prison inmates had nothing to do with the 'Akshara Dasoha' scheme to provide mid-day meal to school going children, he clarified.

Hearing arguments and counter arguments, the Speaker reserved his ruling on the issue.

UNI