JOIN USHouse committee holds first meeting on 'disruption-free' session
In July this year, both the Houses of the state legislature were disrupted for nine days with the Opposition staging dharna over the DySP M K Ganapathi suicide issue.
No official business could be transacted. Several bills and even the state budget proposals were passed in the din without any discussion. The legislature has been witness to many such instances.
However, such scenarios may be a thing of the past if a joint committee constituted to revisit the rules for conduct of business of the two Houses of legislature has its way.
The focus of the committee is to ensure that there is disruption-free four hours of business of the legislature on each day of sitting. Also, rules will be amended to make it mandatory that 60 days of sittings are held by both the Houses every year.
The 19-member panel jointly headed by Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy and Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad held its first meeting on Monday.
“We are looking forward for a 10 am to 2 pm morning session which is devoid of any disruption”, Koliwad told reporters after the meeting. Question Hour, Zero Hour, matters of public importance will be scheduled in the morning session. Other legislative matters including adjournment motions will be taken up after 3 pm following the lunch break, he said.
A six-member sub-committee headed by senior MLC Ramachandra Gowda has been constituted to come out with the draft new rules in three weeks. Suggestions have been sought from the legislators.
When it was pointed out that there already existed a legislation that made it mandatory for the Assembly and the Council to sit for at least 60 days a year, Koliwad said, “We are venturing ahead with a positive frame of mind”.
Disruption-free proceedings will help in discussing issues related to government programmes and those concerning welfare of the people. The new rules are likely to come up for ratification during the next legislature session.
Asked what action would be taken if members do not follow rules and disrupt proceedings, Koliwad said the committee will decided on it.