Congress demands convening of Legislative Session immediately

Bangalore, Dec 17 (UNI) Accusing the Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition Government in Karnataka of violating the Constitution, Congress today demanded convening of Legislative Session immediately.

Talking to newsmen here, Congress Spokesman V S Ugrappa said that as per Constitution Legislative Session should be held for a minimum of 60 days in a calendar year, whereas session held during the year was less than 50 per cent.

''Moreover the State is facing severe drought situation, besides burning issues, including holding of elections to local bodies, whose term nearing completion, farmers suicide, improper distribution of ration cards to people living Below Poverty Line (BPL) have to be discussed in the house and steps should be taken to solve the problems the state is facing'', he added.

He said that as per the Constitution, under section four of the Karnataka Conduct of Legislative Session Act, Sessions should be held in January for 15 days (Opening Session), in March for 20 days (Budget Session), in July for 15 days (Monsoon Session) and in November for 10 days (Winter Session).

''It is mandatory on the part of the State government to hold session for 60 days, but unfortunately after July Session, no Session, was held except for five days in Belgaum in October where there was no scope for discussion on the burning, problems,'' he said.

Alleging that the coalition government has failed in all front, Mr Ugrappa claimed that as per Government figures 128 Talukas were reeling under severe drought condition and due to crash in prices farmers were incurring heavy loss. ''After this government came to power 175 farmers have committed suicide,'' he alleged.

Elections should be conducted to fill 5072 posts in 222 town municipalities whose terms are ending shortly. ''In this regard, the State Election Commissioner has filed a complaint with the Governor about State Government not taking steps to conduct election to fill the posts in the local bodies'', he alleged.

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