The Hindu : Speaker seeks Fernandes' comments on privilege notice

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Thursday, Aug 14, 2003

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Speaker seeks Fernandes' comments on privilege notice

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 13. The Lok Sabha Speaker, Manohar Joshi, has asked the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, for his comments on the privilege motion moved against him by G.M. Banatwala (IUML). It was moved against him for his refusal to furnish a report of the Central Vigilance Commission on the Kargil arms purchases to the Public Accounts Committee. The Speaker announced his ruling in the midst of the uproar in the House. "I have called for the comments of the Defence Minister. I will take a decision in the matter on receipt of said comments'', said the Speaker.

Mr. Joshi referred the privilege notice against the Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley, to the Rajya Sabha for "appropriate action''. The notice against the Law Minister was moved by Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Congress) and Mr. Banatwala for allegedly suppressing facts and misleading the House regarding the dilution of the charges by the Central Bureau of Investigation against the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The Speaker cited several precedents and referred in particular to the report of the Committees of Privileges of the two Houses of their joint sitting in 1954. He said that going by their report, since the Minister concerned was a member of the Upper House, he would have to refer the issue to the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha for necessary action. "As Mr. Jaitley, is a member of the Rajya Sabha, I felt it would be appropriate, if the matter is considered by the honourable chairman, Rajya Sabha," said Mr. Joshi.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said he had also sought the comments of Mr. Jaitley. "After going through the material submitted by both the sides, I felt that the matter required further examination.''

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