Jaipal Reddy at the receiving end again

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy came under attack from members of the Rajya Sabha for his comments on a privilege notice against him given by a Bharatiya Janata Party member.

The issue came up during zero hour when Rajnath Singh (BJP) said Reddy misled the House on August 5, when the minister said Doordarshan and All India Radio would not accept even indirect cigarette or alcohol advertisements.

Singh said both the tobacco and liquor were being advertised by Doordarshan while showing the India-Sri Lanka cricket series.

After Singh had spoken, the minister said he had not received the privilege notice. To this, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla said the notice would first come to the chair and then passed on to the minister. ''I am not replying then,'' Reddy said.

Several members shouted that there was no need for the minister to say anything at this stage. Pranab Mukherjee (Congress) said it was not proper for the minister to get up when he had not been asked to do so. Another member wondered why the minister should get up. ''It is an insult to the House,'' some members said.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:
MPs demand contempt proceedings against Jaipal Reddy