Resignations : Decision before Aug 1
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India

New Delhi, July 08 2011: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to take a decision on the resignation of 13 MPs from Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh before the Monsoon session of Parliament that begins on August one.

"I suppose so.

Yes," Kumar told reporters when asked whether a decision on the resignations, most of them by Congress MPs, would be taken before the upcoming session.

The resignations for pressing the demand for a separate Telangana have put the Congress-led coalition at the Centre under pressure over deciding the contentious issue.

"It is sad to receive so many resignations.

These are under my examination," Kumar said to a volley of questions including whether she considers them a voluntary act and whehter is was just a drama under pressure from the people.

To all these questions, the Speaker said she cannot say anything till she had examined the resignations.

"There are rules that govern resignation of MPs.

I will follow those," she said.

Asked whether she would allow the MPs to raise the Telangana issue in the Lok Sabha, Kumar said "I always allow MPs to speak in the House, but not from the Well" .

On whether she expected a tumultuous Monsoon session, she said "I do not mind having a tumultuous House.

But House should not be adjourned.

The business of the House should be transacted and Question Hour should not be disrupted" .

Of the 13 resignations, nine are of Congress MPs and two each of TDP and TRS.

The Speaker said if the MPs wanted to raise the Telangana issue in the Lok Sabha they were "welcome" .

"I will make all efforts to ensure that the house functions smoothly.

It is my prime responsibility," Kumar said.

A meeting of MPs of small parties, and Independent members in the Lok Sabha has been called on July 14 to discuss the Women's Reservation Bill, she said.

The Speaker has already held a round of consultations with representatives of political parties last month but there was no consensus on the issue.

Asked about the Lokpal issue, she said, "As far as the issue of corruption is concerned, I think it should be uprooted from the society" .

She said the Presiding Officers before her had also taken strong steps to tackle corruption.

On the Lokpal Bill, she said "it is not the Speaker's job to comment on a Bill.

The Bill is not in Parliament yet" .

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