PIL seeks live telecast of House sessions

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 12

For providing Punjab residents “free and full access” to debates and other activities of their elected representatives, Sunam MLA Aman Arora has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking issuance of directions to the Speaker and Punjab Legislative Assembly Secretary to start live telecast of the Assembly sessions.

In his petition expected to come up for preliminary hearing next week, Arora stated people had every right to know how their taxes were being expended, whether their elected representatives were fulfilling their roles, besided being aware of legislations being enacted by the state Assembly.

Arora added that the live telecast would help citizens to form opinions.

He also submitted that a majority of people nowadays relied exclusively on television for information on government business and televising the proceedings would lead to a better understanding of issues and of the political process.

Arora further submitted that the entire proceedings of the two Houses of the Parliament were being telecast live through two separate dedicated satellite channels by Doordarshan since December 14, 2004.

The petition added the Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker also allowed live telecast of Assembly proceedings in the interest of transparency.