Jaipal Reddy In The Dock Again

Yet another privilege notice has been served against Union minister for information and broadcasting S Jaipal Reddy in the Rajya Sabha.

This time the charge is that even though he had assured the House that no advertiements of alcohol and tobacco are allowed to be telecast on Doordarshan, Rajnath Singh Surya (BJP) pointed out that he saw the advertisement of a popular brand of beer during the telecast of the India-Sri Lanka Test on Tuesday and yesterday. Surya gave a privilege notice against Reddy for what he called deliberately misleading the house regarding advertisement of alcohol and cigarettes on Doordarshan early this month.

There was a mild furore in the House when Reddy said he would not take notice of it as he was yet to receive formal notice in this regard.

Several members criticised Reddy for such a reaction especially when Surya had not violated any rule while moving the privilege notice.

A case of breach of privilege had been earlier made against Reddy early this week for his reports remarks against Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson Najma Heptullah.