DMK working president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin has urged Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao to direct the Chief Minister and the Speaker to immediately summon the Legislative Assembly for approving the demand for grants of various departments. He said the State government has recommended proroguing the second session of the 15th Assembly.
In his representation to the Governor, a copy of which was released to the media, Mr. Stalin referred to a communication of the State government to the Governor dated May 11 and charged that the order was in violation of the decision of the House, based on the recommendations of the Business Advisory Committee and also infringed on the sanctity of the annual financial statement presented to the House.
He urged the Governor to direct the Chief Minister and Speaker to summon the Assembly “to avert a bizarre situation in which the government’s money is utilised for the schemes announced in the budget without the approval of the House, which is the sole authority to assent to the grants and to approve the appropriation Bills.”
Multitude of issues
The action of the government was a gross violation of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly rules and was against the provisions of the Constitution, Mr. Stalin contended.
Recalling his meetings with the Speaker and the Chief Minister with memorandums seeking to reconvene the session for debating and passing of demands of the Departments, Mr. Stalin said the House had not been convened though the State was confronted with major issues such as drought, farmers’ suicide, water scarcity, NEET and transport workers’ strike.Since the Assembly session stood prorogued, demands for grants did not have legislative sanction, and hence, the government could not appropriate funds for various schemes and projects, he contended.
“The general Budget presented is hanging in the air without the voting on the grants of the departments by the House. Thus, the administration is rendered void. We fail to understand whether this simply was not understood by the ruling party or the ruling party belittles the supremacy of the State Legislative Assembly,” the DMK leader said.
Meanwhile, on Monday evening, Mr. Stalin directed all his party legislators to be in Chennai by Tuesday morning. No reason was assigned for issuing the directive. However, sources said he has asked some legislators who had prior engagements to go ahead with them.
