Use of mobile phones banned in TN Assembly

CHENNAI: Effective from today, the Tamil Nadu Assembly has banned use of mobile phones in the House. Assembly Speaker D Jayakumar told the House that the ban on use of mobile phones would be applicable for all including Ministers, MLAs, government offi cials and journalists covering the Assembly proceedings. The ban on use of cell phones inside the Assembly comes in the backdrop of a furore over the charges some members in the Karnataka and Gujarat Assemblies watched porn on their mobile phones during the House proceedings. The usage of mobile phone was banned as per Assembly Rule 10 under which no member would be allowed to bring his/her cell phone inside the House. Mr Jayakumar said. In a statement, the Speaker said the members could deposit their mobiles in the ‘pigeon hole’ lockers kept in the Assembly lounge before entering the house. He said pay phone facilities had been set up at different places in the Assembly complex, including at the cafeteria and members lounges. “All MLAs will be provided smart cards with talk value valid for one year. Initially it would have a talk value of Rs 70. The members can later recharge the cards at BSNL counters in the premises,” he added. It may be recalled that the cell phone of DMK member T R B Raja, a fi rst timer in the House, was confi scated for recording the proceedings and was later suspended from the House.