K'taka Council allows discussion on Governor's second address

Bangalore, Mar 1 (UNI) Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman V R Sudarshan today ruled that the Governor's first address to the joint session of the Legislature was infructuose and allowed a discussion on the second address delivered on February 24.

He would allot time for the discussion on the second address in consultation with the Business Advisory Committee later in the day, but not in the form of a motion of thanks, the Chairman announced following heated arguments between the treasury and Opposition benches on the point raised by Leader of the Opposition H K Patil.

''Since there is no specific provision under Rule 24 of the Rules of Procedures to deal with the motion of thanks, I would like to allot time for the discussion on the second address,'' he said.

However, the Rules framed under Article 208 (1) of the Constitution with regard to House procedures and business enabled him to allot time for discussion on the second address delivered under Article 175 (1).

Mr Sudarshan added, the question of debate on the Governor's first address on January 19 did not arise as the Dharam Singh-led Government was dethroned before the motion of thanks could be moved and a new Government was sworn in.

He said he had taken the opinion of the Secretariat of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the Advocate General, before giving the ruling.

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