Congress stages dharna in Karnataka Council

Bangalore, Mar 26: The main Opposition Congress members in the Karnataka Legislative Council today staged a dharna in the House in protest against the State Government's ''inordinate'' delay in constituting a permanent Commission for the Backward Classes.

Raising the issue during question hour, BJP member Mukhyamantri Chandru expressed doubts about the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government's commitment towards the welfare of the backward classes in the State.

He said the State Government had not constituted the commission for the BCs, comprising over 68 per cent of the State population, for the last one year, despite giving assurances on the floor of the House. The Centre had released Rs 22 crore to conduct a survey on the socio-economic conditions of BCs and the money was lying unspent for want of reconstitution of the Commission.

Intervening in the discussion, Congress members, including Leader of the Opposition H K Patil, V S Ugrappa, V Sudarshan and Dr L Hanumanthaiah demanded that the State Government give an explanation for the delay and sought an immediate commitment from the State Government on the issue.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Alkod Hanumanthappa, who replied to the question, agreed that there had been delay in appointing the Chairman and members of the Commission and assured the agitated Opposition members that the vacancies would be filled up immediately after the session. However, the Congress members staged a dharna, insisting on a specific commitment from the State Government and urging the Chair to summon the Chief Minister to the House to make an announcement on the issue.

House Acting Chairman Sachidananda Khot instructed the Minister to take measures to constitute the Commission and appealed to the Congress members to end their dharna and resume their seats.

However, the Congress members refused to pay heed to the appeal, demanding an immediate announcement from the State Government.

Mr Khot, after failing to convince the Congress to end the dharna, adjourned the House till 1500 hrs.

UNI