K'taka Speaker witholds consent to adj motion on drought

Bangalore, Feb 1 (UNI) Karnataka Assembly Speaker Krishna today withheld consent to an adjourment motion, sought to be raised by the Opposition Congress on the prevailing drought situation in the State.

As soon as the House assembled after lunch break, Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh and his party members tried to move an adjournment motion on the issue. The leaders, in their preliminary submission, said the State Government had totally failed to tackle the drought situation in the State. People were confused following the conflicting statements made by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on the issue. As many as 172 farmers had committed suicide after the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government came to power an year ago, they contended.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M P Prakash said the Government was ready for a discussion on the issue. However, it could be taken up in a different form or be allowed after the House discussed the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, he suggested.

The Speaker withheld consent to the adjournment motion and allowed the Congress members to raise it under a different rule.

UNI