The construction activities underway at the Legislative Assembly complex in connection with the upcoming Loka Kerala Sabha meet sparked a heated debate in the House on Wednesday.
Congress MLAs brought up the issue amid discussions on the Kerala Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission (Amendment) Bill.
This had prompted Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] MLA Raju Abraham to raise a point of order.
‘In the dark’
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the Opposition was in the dark about various construction activities taking place at the Assembly complex and the MLA Hostel.
The Speaker had not discussed the matter with the Opposition, he said.
The interior of the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Lounge on the ground floor is being overhauled for hosting the meet.
The work has been awarded to Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd (ULCCS).
‘Against convention’
Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan said it was unfortunate that the matter was discussed in the Assembly.
He issued a ruling saying that the decisions taken by the Speaker or matters which fell within the purview of his office were not, by convention of the Kerala Assembly, discussed in the House.
Clarifications on such issues, he said, were usually sought directly from him or via the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).
The Loka Kerala Sabha is the State's contribution to democracy.
The Chief Minister is its leader and the Leader of Opposition, the deputy leader.
Construction began at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Lounge following a decision that a permanent venue was required for the Loka Kerala Sabha, the Speaker said.
The second edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha is scheduled to be held in January 2020.
