Speaker denies permission to alternative paper

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Speaker G Karthikeyan on Wednesday denied permission to table the alternative white paper by former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in the Assembly. Karthikeyan pointed out that permission of the Chair was required to table unofficial documents in the Assembly.
Though white paper was not an official paper, Finance Minister K M Mani had sought the prior sanction of the Speaker. Moreover, he represented the government. However, such privilege cannot be extended to private members without prior sanction, the Speaker said.The Assembly witnessed noisy scenes after the Opposition members protested against the Speaker by rushing to the well of the House. However, following the Speaker's ruling, the Opposition members returned to their seats.