BANGALORE: Ironical as it may seem, the fact that the state Legislature once enjoyed a high degree of respect for its good conduct, holding meaningful debates and raising issues of public interest may need to be consigned to nostalgia.Both the houses of the Legislature have met for only 22 days in three sessions this year. In fact, the Karnataka Conduct of Government Business in State Legislature Bill, 2005, which was enacted to ensure that Legislature sessions are held for a minimum of 60 days annually, may not be fulfilled this year.As per the statement of objectives of the legislation, the opening session in a year - lasting at least 15 days - will start in the second week of January with the Governor’s address. The budget session will be held in the first week of March, lasting for a minimum of 20 days. A 15-day monsoon session will be convened in the second week of July followed by a 10-day winter session in the second week of November.This period also witnessed one of the worst incidents in the history of Indian legislature, when police personnel were deployed in the Assembly hall to maintain order during Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s floor test in October last year.Ever since the BJP came to power in the state in 2008, both the houses of the Legislature have met only for 112 days. A major portion of the time has been wasted in trading charges between the Opposition parties and the treasury benches; walk-outs and house boycotts too became frequent.Says Kimmane Rathnakar (Congress): “Hardly were meaningful debates on issues of public interest were conducted in the last four years.” The two houses of the Legislature met for a mere 17 days in 2008, 42 days in 2009, 31 days in 2010. Interestingly, ever since the legislation was passed in 2005, the houses have met for fewer days. The state budget, in contrast, has shown an increase.Expressing concern over the dwindling number of sittings in the Legislature, Chairman of Legislative Council D H Shankaramurthy said that the Opposition and ruling parties should be blamed for the fiasco. Calling for an immediate remedial measure to stem the rot, he felt that strong public opinion should be created on the issue.Echoing Shankaramurthy’s sentiments, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar told Express that he tried to convince Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah not to boycott the proceedings and promised to extend co-operation. “I tried my level best to reach out to Opposition but my efforts went in vain.” S B Patil, secretary of Assembly Secretariat, informed Express that till 2007, number of sittings in both houses of the legislature was “healthy”.What is confounding, therefore, is that despite their measly attendance, the law makers have managed to hike their salaries and allowances twice in over two years!
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