Date:06/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/06/stories/2006040613840400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Permanency for Council sought

Staff Reporter

Elders want creation of Upper Houses where they do not exist

BANGALORE: The "eldest" among the few Houses of Elders in the country, the 99-year-old Karnataka Legislative Council has sought permanency for the second legislative chamber and its creation in the States without them.

The Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution that seeks permanency for the House of Elders through a Constitutional Amendment as is already the case with regard to Parliament Rajya Sabha.

Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil had moved the resolution on Tuesday. After several members participated in the debate on the merits of having a Legislative Council, and highlighted the fact that States like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra were now regretting the abolition of the Upper Houses there and seeking to restore them, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basvaraj Horatti responded saying the Government would do what it takes to make it a reality.

A delegation would be taken to New Delhi to impress upon the President and the Prime Minister the need to have permanency for the State's Upper House. The exercise calls for amendment to Article 169 of the Constitution, which provides for the abolition of an Upper House. Chairman V.R. Sudarshan joined in the discussion, which veered around the centenary celebrations of the House to be celebrated in 2007. Made Gowda (Congress) suggested that a commemorative volume on 100 years of the Legislative Council be brought out in time for the centenary.