The Hindu : No opposition to their demands

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Pondicherry

No opposition to their demands

By S. Nadarajan

Pondicherry April 7. The non-Congress parties might not have been able to win many seats in the 2001 Assembly polls when the Congress together with its allies romped home and has since been holding the reins of power in Pondicherry. The Rangasamy government now in power is not, however, unhelpful to the Opposition as most of its demands meet with success.

The current Assembly session has been marked by the benevolence of the Chief Minister to sanction most of the demands made by the Opposition. For instance, during the last week, the pleas of the DMK and the BJP for an upward revision of funds for the Constituency Development scheme for the legislators met with impressive success.

The Chief Minster sanctioned Rs 50 lakhs for a constituency against Rs 40 lakhs available so far and the schemes to be implemented by the Local Administration Department would hereafter involve an outlay of Rs 50 lakhs.

There was thumping of desks by members, mostly from the Opposition, when the revised allocation was announced.

Still the Opposition persisted for a hike in the funds earmarked for PWD- sponsored programmes in a constituency. Although the Chief Minister was a bit hesitant in the initial stages, he gave the green signal and announced Rs 20 lakhs for each constituency against Rs 10 lakhs available so far for PWD schemes

Thus the members could achieve their goal from a virtually cordial and friendly Congress Chief Minister. The DMK, the AIADMK and the BJP are the parties constituting the Opposition bloc in Pondicherry.

Media's dilemma

Most of the time, more than three members could be seen standing during question time or during a debate on any issue in the Assembly to express their views. The expression of views simultaneously by some half a dozen members make the job of mediapersons covering the proceedings unenviable.

One member would be seen talking to the other and Ministers or the Speaker would be seen exchanging replies with others.

Who should reporters listen to and whose views they should jot down has been the problem for the scribes covering the proceedings.

Although repeated pleas were made by the Chair that there be no lengthy debate during question time to ensure availability of opportunity for all the members to have their questions dealt with, the pattern continues unchanged.

The Speaker was also sore more often than not that the members who tabled cut motions were absent in the House during the debate that followed.

With most Opposition members or the ruling side remaining outside during debate on budget or demand for grants to departments, necessity arises for the Speaker to ring the bell to draw the attention of the members to help restore quorum in the House.

The session every day starts at 9.30 a.m. and lasts till 1.30 p.m. without break.

The ongoing session is likely to go on for another two weeks or so.

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