Karnataka bans cellphones in Assembly

Speaker Kagodu Thimappa suspended BJP legislator Prabhu Chavan for a day after he was caught on TV camera watching a zoomed in photograph on his mobile phone on Wednesday.

The Speaker also pulled up Housing Minister MH Ambareesh and Congress member SS Mallikarjun for using cell phones inside the House.

"I hereby pronounce that the use of mobile phones in the state assembly is banned. Since Prabhu Chavan was watching a picture in an indecent manner, he is herewith suspended for a day from attending house proceedings," he said.

Assembly proceedings were paralysed yesterday with members of the ruling Congress demanding action against the legislator.

The BJP hit back, seeking a two-day suspension for Mr Ambareesh and Mr Mallikarjun who, the party alleged, were also surfing through their mobile phones during House proceedings.

Mr Thimappa also announced the formation of a legislature ethics committee, which would help mould the personality of legislators, monitor their behaviour in the House and legislative capabilities and enhance the dignity, decorum and prestige of the Assembly.

"Already a legislature ethics committee has been formed in the Upper House, but has not met even once. However, such a committee also will be constituted in the lower house," he added.

Another BJP lawmaker, UB Banakar, was also caught playing video games on his mobile phone during a debate on the plight of sugarcane farmers on Wednesday.

In 2012, the party, which was in power at the time, had faced major embarrassment when two of its ministers, Laxman Savadi and CC Patil, were filmed by a local channel allegedly looking at explicit pictures on the latter's cellphone during an ongoing debate in the House. Earnest said.