Srinagar, Jul 17: The Legislative Assembly Secretariat has sought Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary’s comments regarding a notice of breach of privilege filed against him by a legislator, who alleged that he was deliberately excluded from official functions during the Deputy CM’s visit to his constituency.
Acting on the directions of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat has written to the Deputy CM’s office, seeking his response to the notice of breach of privilege filed by R.S. Pathania, who represents the Udhampur East Assembly segment.
“The matter was placed before the Hon’ble Speaker, who has been pleased to direct that comments of the Hon’ble Deputy CM be obtained in the first instance,” reads the Assembly communiqué to the Deputy CM’s office.
The Deputy CM’s office has been directed to submit its response within seven days, so that it may be placed before the Speaker for consideration.
Pathania had last month filed a notice of breach of privilege and contempt of the House against the Deputy CM with the Assembly Secretariat, alleging that he was kept out of the loop during an outreach camp and a series of on-the-spot inspections of projects in his constituency.
He further alleged that the Deputy CM’s actions constituted a prima facie breach of the immunities and privileges of a member of the House—(KNO)
