Chandigarh: Punjab Assembly on Monday witnessed heated arguments between members of treasury benches and the opposition after Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal disallowed a privilege motion against a minister.
As the Zero Hour started, leader of the opposition Sunil Jakhar drew the attention of the Speaker towards the privilege motion moved by him.
Agreeing that he had received the notice, Atwal assured the House Jakhar that he would take a decision whether to consider the motion in a couple of days.
The issue and references made by Jakhar during his arguments regarding the privilege motion given by him were not taken on the record of the proceedings of the House.
Noticing that Jakhar was adamant on his motion, Atwal asked him how he concluded that the motion has been rejected. "It is under consideration. I will give a decision in a couple of days," he said.
However, Atwal in response to Jakhar's assertion, told him that he had given him the notice without his permission.
Intervening in the matter, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said "no one can dictate terms to the Speaker. You (Jakhar) can't force the Speaker to admit the motion now," he added.
Atwal also made reference to parliamentary proceedings saying that it is also not the precedent there (to allow a privilege motion on the same day).
Atwal read out Rule 52 of the assembly stating that a member may with the consent of the Speaker raise an issue of breach of privilege.
