Will move HC again if denied permission- Aman Arora

Chandigarh, February 8: Aam Aadmi Party legislatures, led by Leaders of Opposition (LoP) Harpal Cheema and Sunam MLA, Aman Arora, met the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh, urging him to allow live telecast of forthcoming Budget Session proceedings from the coming budget session commencing from February 12.

In his written representation Arora, who had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, had contended that live telecast of Assembly proceedings be allowed live on the lines of both houses of Parliament and a number of State Assemblies, which would improve the functioning of elected representatives on the floor of the House.

In his plea presented before the honorable court, Arora had said since the Assembly was run by the public money, and hence they had the rights to know as to how their elected representatives were functioning in the Assembly. This would also help ensuring transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government machinery and the Opposition as well, Arora had opined.

In its order dated January 21, 2019, the honorable high court in the presence of Punjab Advocate General, Atul Nanda, had disposed off the petition, directing the Speaker to decide on Arora's plea expeditiously and granted Arora the liberty to move the Court again if not satisfied with the Speaker's decision.

In his plea to the Speaker, Arora had requested that the upcoming Budget Session proceedings be telecast live so that people of the State might get an insight into whether or not the State Government was serious about meeting  their aspirations. Arora contended that already on a number of occasions the Speaker had been allowing selective live telecast as per the suitability of the Government which clearly infringed upon the 'law of equality' of the  elected representatives.

Arora said that he would not hesitate in moving the Court again if permission to live telecast was denied by the Speaker. The delegation included Kultar Singh Sandhawn, Amarjit Singh Sandoa, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Meet Hayer (All MLAs) and Neel Garg (Spokesman).