Kar Assembly passes three bills amidst dharna by Opposition leaders

Bangalore, Apr 13 (UNI) Karnataka Legislative Assembly today passed three bills including the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Bill by voice vote amidst dharna by opposition party leaders.

As soon as Speaker took the bills for consideration and passage, opposition party leaders led by their leader N Dharam Singh trooped into the well of the house demanding discussion on drinking water and drought conditions in the state. The speaker assured them that he would provide time for discussion after the bills were passed.

However, the opposition party leaders did not budge and staged dharna in the well of the house.

The speaker put the bills to voice vote and were passed amidst slogan shouting by the opposition members. When senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge took exception to the passage of bills in a 'hasty' manner the speaker remarked saying " you (the opposition parties) are not acting as responsible leaders." Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Party leader Vatal Nagaraj, Janata Dal (United) leader J C Madhuswamy and CPI(M) leader G V Srirama Reddy, who raised slogans for some time, later staged a walk out.

The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Bill aimed at providing promoting and monitoring of private medical establishments by stipulating minimum standards for quality of service in keeping with the principles of medical ethics. The bill, among others, provided for registration of private medical establishments, maintenance of clinical records, and penalties for violation of provisions of the act and cancellation of the registration.

The other two bills were Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill tabled by Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari and Karnataka Stamps (Second Amendment) Bill tabled by Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar.

UNI