Governor’s address to be aired live

Thakur said he had already allowed daily recording of the Question Hour by Shimla Doordarshan and an edited version of the recording is relayed every evening for half-an- hour when the House remains in the session. The decision to allow broadcast by AIR Shimla, would go a long way in keeping the people of Himachal Pradesh, especially those living in remote areas, informed on the assembly proceedings. To begin with, the Governor’s address and budget presentation were the two events finalised for broadcast, he added.

The Speaker said he would favour healthy and lively discussions in the House. The Opposition would get enough time to make its points of view and individual MLAs would also get sufficient opportunities to raise issues relating to their areas and of public importance. A record number of 700 questions have already been received from the MLAs, mostly the Opposition members.

Making an appeal to the media for fair coverage, the Speaker quoted rules of the assembly to convey that any distortion of the facts, written or spoken in the Assembly, would attract proceedings of breach of privilege of the House.

“I request you to be cautious in the reporting, especially relating to the assembly matters,” advised the Speaker. He, however, commended the role of the Press in highlighting and reporting the proceedings in a responsible manner.

Thakur expressed the desire to invite senior journalists and editors of the important newspapers to witness proceedings of the House when important matters were listed. “I will also request the Chief Minister to invite editors and other eminent journalists during the budget session,” he said.

The Speaker declined to comment on petitions filed by the Opposition Congress challenging his election to the post of the Speaker and also split of two Himachal Vikas Congress MLAS, who later had joined the BJP before formation of the coalition government. “Proceedings are on at various stages in the matters,” Thakur said.

About election of the deputy speaker, Thakur said he would like the government to bring about a resolution to elect the deputy speaker during the current session of the House. The post of the deputy speaker had not been filled since the last one year.