JOIN USThe state government has decided to refer the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2013 to the Joint Select Committee (JSC), after much pressure from the Opposition parties in the Legislative Council.
Pressed by the Leader of the Opposition, D V Sadananda Gowda, to refer the Bill to the JSC, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, H K Patil placed the Bill before the House and referred it to the JSC. The members of the JSC will be appointed by the Chairman of the Legislative Council. For the first time, a Bill which originated in the Legislative Assembly and was passed by that House has been sent to the JSC, due to the Opposition demanding it in the Upper House.
Accusations
Prior to referring it to the JSC, Patil said that the Opposition was playing politics with the Bill and not allowing its passage. “While the meeting with floor leaders was still on in the chambers of the Council chairman, the Opposition issued two whips asking its members to not support the Bill,” he said.
However, rebutting this, Gowda said the BJP did not issue two whips and that the party has issued only one whip, opposing the Bill in its present form.
The Bill suggests that the Regional Commissioner can take action against the gram panchayat (GP) presidents if there is evidence of them not conducting two consecutive meetings of the proposed ward sabhas and gram sabhas.
Action against GP chiefs
The amendment also suggests for the removal of the GP president if he/she fails to convene the meeting and that the power of removing him has been given to the Regional Commissioner.
These contentious clauses were disputed by MLCs who have been elected from the Panchayat system. Subsequently, after much deliberation in the House in which the Opposition enjoys majority, the government decided to refer the Bill to a JSC.