Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar announced that the winter sessions of the legislature would be held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha at Belgaum. However, what the government will do with the grand structure the rest of the year remains a question.
Addressing a public meeting after the building was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukharjee on Thursday, Shettar said the government would also conduct Cabinet and official meetings, and international seminars there.
Though there is also a proposal by ministers and legislators from this region to shift a few departments to the new Soudha, there are few takers for that.
Its maintenance would also leave a big hole in the state exchequer. According to an estimate by Assembly secretariat officials, the monthly maintenance cost of this building would not be less than Rs 1.5 crore.
‘It Will Correct Imbalance’
Earlier inaugurating the Soudha, Mukharjee recalled the state’s contribution to the nation, by referring to freedom fighters Kittur Rani Channamma and Sangolli Rayanna, music legends like Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and social reformer Basavanna.
The Soudha could be instrumental in reversing regional imbalance, he said and called on the leaders to ensure good governance.
Later addressing a joint legislative session, Mukharjee expressed his concern over the frequent disruptions to the proceedings of Parliament and state assemblies.
He said: “There may be occasions when normal business of the House is suspended to take up urgent issues... But such occasions should be a few,” he said.
“The legislature should meet at least for 20-25 weeks in a year,” he said. “I am happy to note that Karnataka is the first state in the country to unveil Vision 2020 for comprehensive development. The state also stands first in the country with 31 registrations out of 172 on all India basis in the category of Geographical Indications of Products, like Mysore Silk, Mysore Jasmine, Mysore Sandal Oil, Nanjanagud Banana and Channapatna Toys,” he said.
It’s Suvarna Vidhana Soudha
Till Wednesday it was called Suvarna Soudha, but on Thursday all hoardings and flex boards put up there called it ‘Souvarna Vidhana Soudha’. Though Speaker K G Bopaiah had earlier announced that the building would be known as ‘Suvarna Vidhana Soudha’, two days ago Shettar said the building would be renamed soon.
On Wednesday night, Bopaiah visited the site and turned furious when he saw the name ‘Suvarna Soudha’. He immediately ordered a name change.