BENGALURU: Three weeks ago, Speaker KB Koliwad had made a proposal to ensure better discipline among lawmakers during legislature sessions. An expert committee constituted by him had sought legislators' reactions for protest-free sessions and full attendance in both houses of the legislature. But the proposal has got a thumbs-down from legislators.
Most members of the legislative assembly have said no to Koliwad's proposal to conduct atleast the first half (morning) of the Assembly and Council sessions without protests.Sources in the committee told Express, "We had consulted a majority of legislators. Shockingly, none of them agreed to the proposal for protest-free sessions."
The committee was given a deadline of three weeks to submit its report but has got an extension of one more week.
Reacting to the negative response from legislators, Koliwad said, "In order to bring amendments to the rules to conduct smooth assembly and council sessions, I had proposed this. I'm not aware of the legislators' negative response as the committee is yet to submit the report. But, if they feel they have been elected by people to do protests, fight and waste time inside the house, let them continue with such behaviour."
However, legislators say they have a right to protest. CT Ravi, BJP MLA and former higher education minister, said, "It is our right to protest against issues which we feel are anti-people. We have an Assembly Business Committee to discuss other issues and we should not be restricted from exercising our rights."