K'taka Legislature reserves ruling on breach of privilege motion

Bangalore, July 4 (UNI) The Presiding Officers of both the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature today reserved ruling on a breach of privilege motion, tabled by the Opposition Congress against the Government for filing a review petition before the Supreme Court on the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) issue while the Legislature was discussing it.

In the Assembly, in his submission, Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh questioned the Government's move in approaching the apex court, even as the House had taken up the issue.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M P Prakash contended that it did not amount to breach of privilege and that the press reports could not be treated as evidence by the Opposition.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy endorsed his views and urged the Chair to reject the motion.

Speaker Krishna, who heard the views of both sides, reserved his ruling on the notice.

In the Council, notice for an identical motion was given by Leader of the Opposition H K Patil.

Higher Education Minister D H Shankaramurthy raised a technical objection, stating that the Governnment was not given advance notice. But, Officiating Chairman Sachidanand Khot overruled the objection and allowed preliminary discussion.

Mr Patil contended that the Government's decision to file a review petition amounted to showing disrespect to the House.

However, JD(S) member N Thippanna supported the Government's move and contended that the review petition on any issue did not violate the privilege of the House.

After hearing both the sides, the Chair reserved the ruling.

UNI SR-MV GD-VK GM RL RN2019