Replying to a debate regarding return of the Bill to the Government raised by Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh and others, Mr Prakash said the government would consider necessary changes to the Bill after the Governor returns the Bill. “There is at least six months time before the government to consider the suggestions made by Mr Chaturvedi. The amendment, if required, would be made only after it is discussed in the Cabinet. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department should also look into the message sent by the Governor,” he said.
Mr Prakash pointed out that in the Upper House members of the Opposition read out the message before the Chairman did so.
He said the Governor had sent messages on a few occasions in the past. The Governor had returned the Office of Profit Bill passed by the State legislature. The Governor gave his assent to Karnataka Town and Country Planning Bill, passed by the legislature, to regularise unauthorised constructions, after a gap of nearly two years, he said.
When Mr Singh sought a debate on the Governor’s message, Mr Prakash said under Article 200 of the Constitution, Mr Chaturvedi had sent the message to the Government. Under this Article, it was not obligatory on the part of the Government to discuss the message immediately by setting aside the day’s agenda of the House.
Earlier, raising the issue, Mr Singh requested Speaker Krishna to set aside other proceedings to take up for discussion the Governor’s message.
The Speaker reserved his ruling.