The committee’s terms of reference would include examination of the overall proceedings of the day when unruly scenes were witnessed in the House, check how the CDs of the proceedings were leaked to the social media, one year suspension of Ms. Roja and related issues.

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao has announced constitution of a committee to go into the happenings in the House on December 18, the day when YSRC MLA R.K. Roja was suspended from the service of the House for one year. She had reportedly used abusive language against some members including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The committee will be headed by the Deputy Speaker and will consist of one member each from the three principal parties in the Assembly, the Telugu Desam, the YSR Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The committee’s terms of reference would include examination of the overall proceedings of the day when unruly scenes were witnessed in the House, check how the CDs of the proceedings were leaked to the social media, one year suspension of Ms. Roja and related issues.
“I have personally instructed the Legislature secretary not to release the CDs of the proceedings to anyone. The CDs were released after the three parties requested for them. But, the proceedings were leaked to social media before this,” he said. An inquiry had been ordered into the issue because the proceedings were leaked from the Assembly and various aspects including whether cell phones/I Pads were used to capture the images and voices during the proceedings.
The committee would be given a timeframe to complete its study and submit a report to the Privileges Committee before the budget session of the Assembly. The report of the Privileges panel would then be submitted to the House for a debate on the recommendations.
Referring to charges that the ruling party members too had used abusive language, he said that the Chair was ready to initiate similar action against the members of the Treasury Benches if the Opposition could submit a proof on the issue. The Speaker sought to distance himself from the controversy raised over the Government Chief Whip’s claim that the proceedings were released with the permission of the Chair.
“I have given the CDs of the proceedings to the parties concerned. I never said whether they can make it public or not. I am not involved in the issue any which way and I leave it to the wisdom of the member concerned,” he said.
Asked about the no-confidence notice submitted by the YSR Congress, he said that it was their right to move the motion. “But I remained neutral ever since I assumed charge. I have no need to support any particular party or member in the House,” he said adding that it was painful to be witness to proceedings where personalised accusations were made against the members.
Dr. Siva Prasada Rao, however, evaded a direct answer about the timeframe within which the no-confidence motion was likely to come up for debate. “I am examining the rules and procedures governing the issue and will take a decision accordingly,” was all he said.
YSRC seeks revocation
The YSR Congress Legislature Party has sought revocation of suspension of its MLA R.K. Roja from the House for one year, Dr. Siva Prasada Rao has said. The YSRC legislature party members regretted their behaviour in the Assembly and sought revocation of the suspension.
“But the letter they gave to me has content that is tantamount to casting aspersions on the Chair and the House proceedings,” he said.
The Speaker recalled the rule position quoted by the YSRC members and said that gravity of the indiscipline warranted stringent action against the member. Similar action was initiated against the erring members in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi Assemblies and there were precedents.