Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has alleged that Speaker A.N. Shamseer has unfairly rejected his request for the allotment of more time for the discussion on demands for grants concerning the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities in the State Assembly.
Mr. Satheesan said on Friday that he had sought a reorganisation of the schedule so as to allow more time for the demands for grants concerning the aforementioned categories. As per the present schedule, they have been clubbed with the demands for grants related to five other topics on March 19.
Formerly, a full day used to be set aside for the discussion of this demand for grants, Mr. Satheesan said. Moreover, Assembly precedents and Rule 143 (1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly require the Leader of Opposition also to be consulted for finalising the time-table for the discussion of the demands for grants.
However, the Speaker has unilaterally rejected the Opposition Leader’s request.
The 13th session of the 15th Kerala Assembly is scheduled to resume on March 3.
Mr. Satheesan said he has has again written to the Speaker repeating his request and registering his strong protest over his earlier decision.
Published – February 21, 2025 07:49 pm IST
