Gaya: Union micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) minister and Gaya MP Jitan Ram Manjhi has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking adequate speaking time for scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) MPs during debates, particularly on important bills.Manjhi said the issue was raised during an NDA MPs’ group interaction meeting at his Delhi residence on Aug 5. BJP Lok Sabha MP from Khargone in Madhya Pradesh Gajendra Singh Patel had suggested giving SC and ST MPs more opportunities to participate in debates.Speaking to reporters in Gaya on Saturday, Manjhi said the letter reflected concerns raised by MPs, not his personal view. He said it sought adequate opportunities for SC and ST representatives to put forward their views on important legislation.Manjhi said, “It would have been more appropriate if the letter was sent through the union parliamentary affairs minister.”
