The Tamil Nadu Assembly banned Monday carrying and using mobile phones inside House. Speaker D. Jayakumar said the ban would apply to ministers, legislators, government officials, journalists, et all.
All mobiles will have to be left in wooden boxes placed in the Assembly lounge.
“The usage of mobile phone is banned as per Assembly Rule 10,” Mr Jayakumar said.
Members could deposit mobiles in “pigeon hole” lockers before entering the House, he said, adding that pay phones had been installed at different places in the Assembly complex.
“All MLAs will be provided smart cards with a talk value of `70 valid for a year. Members can later recharge the cards at BSNL counters on the premises,” Mr Jayakumar said.
The cell of DMK MLA T.R.B. Raja was recently seized for recording House proceedings and he was suspended.
DA, tax on other state vehicles up
The government announced Monday a seven per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for government staff, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners. The hike would entail an annual expenditure of Rs 1,383.49 crore.
The government also decided to impose higher tax on vehicles from other states entering Tamil Nadu. Transport minister V. Senthil Balaji reasoned: “Other state contract carriages use the road more intensively compared to Tamil Nadu vehicles.”