Speaker writes to CM on winter session

Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa on Thursday said he had sent a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on finalising the dates for the winter session of the legislature.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Thimmappa said he was yet to receive a reply from the chief minister. To a query on whether the government is in two minds on holding the winter session of legislature in Belgaum fearing a backlash from sugar cane growers of the district (who have not been paid their dues), Thimmappa said his responsibility was only to conduct the proceedings of the House.

He said the renovation of the Assembly Hall in the Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore had been taken up at a cost of Rs 5.9 crore and would be completed by January.

Green drive

Karnataka Youth Legislators Forum would be launching a clean and green Bangalore drive on October 28 at Peenya Industrial Area. Forum chairman N A Haris said saplings and dustbins would be given to industries. The drive will be launched by Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa and extended to other areas in a phased manner.