Deputy Speaker to be elected next week

Thiruvananthapuram: The election of Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Assembly will take place on December 2. 

The Legislature Secretary will accept nominations till noon on Tuesday and voting will be held on Wednesday,  Speaker N. Sakthan announced.

The Congress proposes to field Palode Ravi for the post after RSP declined to accept the Deputy Speakership for the remaining short term of the Assembly. Congress leader K. Muraleedharan had also expressed lack of interest in becoming the Deputy Speaker for a short period.

The Opposition has not yet announced its candidate.

The Assembly session beginning on November 30 will altogether have 11 sittings. The first day will be devoted for consideration of bills to replace Kerala Public Service Commission (Additional Functions As Respects Universities) Ordinance and the Payment of Wages (Kerala Amendment) Ordinance.

On December 1, the House will consider amendments to the Non-resident Keralites Welfare Act and Hindu Succession Act.

The Business Advisory Committee meeting Monday will decide on Bills to be considered from December 2. Ten Ordinances issued after the last session of the House needs to be replaced.

The Government is proposing to introudce Bills to regulate harthals and check practice of black magic and magical rites and promotion of superstitions during the session.

An official release said that that a media award for legislative reporting will be introduced from this year in memory of late Speaker G. Karthikeyan. The award will carry Rs. 50000 and a citation.  The new museum at the legislature complex will be named after Mr. Karthikeyan.