Mangalore: The Mayor and first citizen of Mangalore city Corporation, Praveen K. Anchan on Friday, February 17 at the general session, banned the use of mobile phones during house sessions within MCC building on M.G Road.

This wise decision on Mayor’s part follows from what had happened in Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore, under speaker Bopaiah during a legislative session, a week ago, when 3 MLAs were disciplined from BJP.

Former Congress Mayor K. Ashraf at the start of Friday meeting, raised the issue, telling his listeners that media persons kept a strict watch over all city wards elected representatives, known as corporators, and that it would not be wise of these persons in MCC meeting, to keep mobiles “on” during house sessions. Ashraf had made a very relevant point to avoid noises.

But Mariamma Thomas of Nanthoor opposed the idea of ban, as each session lasted 3 hours corporators had to be available to the public then.

But Mayor Anchan pertinently over-ruled Mariamma, and ordered mobiles out, before adjourning the session.

Later K. Madhukiran wanted a clarification.  The Mayor (BJP) clarified that while mobile phones may be kept by corporators in the house, but they should remain silent, during a session.

Those who got calls, should go out to use it or Switch it off.

Thank you, Mayor.