Chander Mohan files breach of privilege complaint against Panchkula MC chief

Five-time MLA and former Deputy CM Chander Mohan complained to Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan over breach of privilege by Panchkula Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ram Kumar Singh.

In his complaint, Chander Mohan alleged that that he had been ignoring breach of privilege since he was elected to the legislative assembly for the fifth time. The Commissioner, he said, chose not to formally invite him to the MC’s Constitution Day event. When corporators objected on the day of event, he received an invitation call just one hour prior to the function. “…it was not the first time, there were previous occasions also when this very official and other local officials of other departments have not left any day to disgrace the undersigned,” he added.

The legislature said, “It is an established parliamentary convention and a recognised legislative privilege that any act which lowers the prestige of an MLA, obstructs an MLA in performing official duties, or wilfully ignores protocol, constitutes a serious breach of privilege.”

Chander Mohan said the Commissioner had repeatedly failed to invite him to official meetings, developmental reviews, inaugurations, inspections and other government programmes held within the constituency’s jurisdiction.

He added that other local officials of several departments “have also been consistently ignoring the elected MLA in official events, thereby diminishing the constitutional and democratic position of the representative chosen by the people of Panchkula.”

He requested the Speaker to take cognisance of the breach of privilege committed against him, and refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, and issue directions to the Haryana government to ensure that all officials adhere to the established protocol and respect the position of elected representatives.

Commissioner refutes claims

Commissioner Ram Kumar Singh, however, refuted the allegations. clarifying, “Wherever it is required and as per protocol and law, MLA Panchkula is being invited.”