Date:26/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/26/stories/2006082607791200.htm

National

Kalam concerned about House disruptions

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Friday said President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam too was concerned about the frequent disruption of Parliamentary proceedings. Mr. Kalam raised the issue with the Speaker at a banquet in the Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier this month and the two have been in communication since.

After Mr. Kalam brought up the issue, Mr. Chatterjee sent him a copy of the letter he wrote to every member of the Lok Sabha on August 6 seeking their cooperation in the smooth functioning of the House. As his meeting with Mr. Kalam took place at the start of the row over the "leakage" of the Pathak report, which led to further disruptions, the Speaker also sent the President transcripts of three days' proceedings.

In return, on August 17, the President wrote to the Speaker stating: "Definitely, your efforts for the effective functioning of Parliament are an important aspect of our democratic system and deserve successful conclusion."

Mr. Chatterjee read out the letter at the customary end-of-session press conference.