Karnataka Oppn on dharna,Bills passed without debate

Among the significant Bills passed was the Karnataka Lokayukta Amendment Bill,2010 — the Bill that has been brought out by the BJP government to empower the Lokayukta in fighting corruption. The Bill is seen as part of the assurances of the BJP to mollify Justice Santosh Hegde,the inumbent,after he resigned over the government’s indifference to the institution.  

Despite the Opposition and the Lokayukta contending that the proposed amendments were all watered down versions of the original demands of the Lokayukta,the Bill was passed without resistance.

The amendments in the Lokayukta Bill allow the Lokayukta to take up investigations against government officers upto the rank of Chief Secretary but elected leaders have been kept outside its purview. The Bill is likely to be discussed only in the upper House when it is tabled during the winter session.

Other crucial Bills that were passed were the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act and the Karnataka Information Technology Investment Regions Bill,2010.

‘Governor praised state leadership’

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said Karnataka Governor H R Bharadwaj praised the state government’s maintenance of law and order in a meeting Friday. Last week,the Governor had asked the CM to drop three ministers over the illegal mining scam.

Yeddyurappa,who had earlier refused to comment on the Governor’s statements against the Reddy brothers said he had a cordial meeting with the Governor.

The CM arrived in New Delhi Friday evening. He will meet Home Minister P Chidambaram Saturday and is also likely to meet the PM to apprise him of the situation in the state.

ENS