Angry Speaker orders lights off in Lok Sabha

Mon, Apr 28 03:43 PM

New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Lights off. Live telecast off.

Lok Sabha today saw these unusual measures being taken by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee as he vent his anguish over the unruly behaviour of members in the House. "I have turned the lights off out of shame," declared the Speaker who was unhappy over the behaviour of some members during the Question Hour.

The members from BJP and JDU were demanding a statement by the government over the reported recommendation by the Prime Minister's Office for allocation of gas for the firms owned by Union Minister T R Baalu's family. As most of the lights were turned off, the Lok Sabha became a dim-lit House with only some neon bulbs being on.

The situation continued for about 10 minutes during which live telecast was also off air. While refusing to adjourn the House, the Speaker expressed "total annoyance" at the behaviour of the members and condemned it.

"Please agree to no work, no pay principle," he said. Later, during the Zero Hour, Chatterjee again voiced his unhappiness after a member continued to speak on some issue despite being told by the Speaker to conclude.

"Defiance of the Chair has become a habit.

It has become a disease.

" PTI.

Inside News

Editor's picks