Tamil Nadu assembly to ban cellphones

Chennai: Call it collateral effect from an episode in a neighbouring state or just a coincidence. The Tamil Nadu assembly is likely to bar MLAs from carrying mobile phones inside the House.

Highly placed sources said rules in this regard were being drafted. The move assumes significance coming just days after three BJP ministers were found watching porn clips on their handsets in the Karnataka assembly.

But sources in the Tamil Nadu government scotched such speculation, pointing out that the proposed ban was a sequel to the suspension of DMK legislator T R B Raaja, son of the former union minister T R Baalu, from the assembly after he was found recording the House proceedings on his handset.

The new rules in the Tamil Nadu assembly will apply to officials as well as media personnel. At present, MLAs and other officials are allowed to carry mobile phones inside the assembly hall but are strictly prohibited from using them. Now even carrying mobile phones inside the House is sought to be prohibited.