DMK, allies seek Tamil Nadu Governor’s intervention to constitute House panels

CHENNAI: DMK and its allies, Congress and IUML, on Friday sought the intervention of Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao in constituting the internal committees of the legislature. The 12 committees have not been constituted despite a lapse of seven months since the 15th assembly assumed charge.
“The committees form part of the proceedings of the legislative body. The functioning of various committees of legislature and their study reports have helped the government ensure better administration, including timely implementation of the various promises made in the House,” the memorandum said.The financial discipline in government expenditure is ensured by the performance of the Public Accounts Committee.
TN Legislative Assembly Rules provide for 12 committees -- Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, Privileges Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Committee on Government Assurance, House Committee, Rules Committee, Committee on Petitions, Library Committee and Committee on papers laid on the table of the House -- to help ensure effective and credible functioning of the state legislature.
“The committees are usually constituted within a fortnight of the new assembly, but the speaker has not made any announcement so far,” the memorandum said.