RS Chair praises TDP Ramesh for forthright SCS demand

The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien, on Wednesday praised the TDP MP, CM Ramesh, for his extempore speech on the demand of the Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh. What did the Chair like about the Ramesh's speech? It was extempore. `I like extempore speech, brief and effective. Members read out big speeches, which is not effective. You just say what you want.' Ramesh told the House that the Special Category Status was long due. The promise was made in the presence of the Chair, who was also then holding the fort. The present Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Venkaiah Naidu, were then on the other side of the House, when the promises were made. `At that time, Honourable Venkaiah Naidu had said that `No, No, the Special Category Status should not be mere 5 years, it should be extended to 10 years. `Now, coming to this side of the House, Honourable Venkaiah Naidu was saying again, `No, No, it is not there in the law. `This won't do. The promises made by the then government in the presence of you all leaders should be kept,' Ramesh added. `The Chair assented `Yes, Yes i was there.'