Karnataka winter session: Government to introduce key bills as Opposition gets ready to targets alleged scams

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state is set to unveil key legislative proposals, including measures to curtail the Governor's powers.

Published Dec 09, 2024 | 9:03 AMUpdated Dec 09, 2024 | 9:03 AM

Karnataka Winter Session MUDA Scam Valmiki Corporation Scam BJP Congress

As the winter session of the Karnataka Legislature kicks off in Belagavi on Monday, 9 December, a charged political atmosphere is expected to dominate the proceedings for the next two weeks over various issues including the Waqf property row.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state is set to unveil key legislative proposals, including measures to curtail the Governor’s powers through the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Additionally, the state government is likely to table the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024 — aimed at the welfare of gig workers — and the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes to levy a lifetime tax on electric vehicles that cost more than ₹25 lakh.

The Opposition led by the BJP is gearing up to corner the government over alleged scandals, including controversies surrounding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (KMVSTDC).

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah’s battalion is equally prepared, armed with the Justice Michael D’Cunha Committee report on alleged irregularities in Covid-19 management during the BJP regime, the Opposition’s internal discord and their recent debacle in the assembly by-elections.

In view of the smooth conduct of the winter session at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti urged Opposition parties to uphold the sanctity of the house and avoid wasting time on protests over specific issues or incidents.

The two-week session will culminate on 20 December.

Also Read: Party leaders unamused as Deve Gowda hints at Nikhil Kumaraswamy heading JD(S)

Bills to be tabled

The state government is expected to introduce the bill to make the chief minister the chancellor of Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University.

The Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to transfer the state Governor’s power to the chief minister.

When the Opposition criticised the move by the government, it defended the bill pointing towards the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and a similar model followed in Gujarat and other BJP-ruled states.

According to sources in the Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation (DPA&L), the government will also introduce key bills during the two-week session.

“The state government is likely to table the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill proposes to levy a lifetime tax on cars, jeeps, and private service electricity vehicles costing over ₹25 lakhs,” sources said.

“This move is following the amendment in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The government will also introduce Karnataka Mineral Rights Tax Bill, 2024, proposing to levy tax on owners of mineral-bearing land and the Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024, renaming the Raichur University as Adikavi Sri Maharshi Valmiki University.”

Labour welfare bills

The source added that the government is also expected to table key bills pertaining to labour welfare, including that of platform-based gig workers.

“The Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes to increase the rate of contribution payable by the employee, employer and the state government to the Labour Welfare Fund. The Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes to set up proper mechanisms towards safety measures for the open borewells and tubewells and punishment for negligence of the owner,” claimed sources in the DPA&L.

The Karnataka Platform based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024 aims to protect the rights of gig workers, constitute a welfare board, social security, occupation health and safety, and establish a fund for financing schemes to provide social security and welfare of gig workers.

The gig workers’ bill is awaiting approval from the state Cabinet.“The bill was deferred in the previous cabinet due to the absence of Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge. The cabinet is likely to clear the gig workers welfare bill in the next cabinet meeting and table it before the house in the winter session,” claimed sources in the Labour Department.

Also Read: Lokayukta police inspect Ballari, VIMS hospitals

Opposition to raise issues

Despite the internal differences simmering in the Opposition BJP, its state core committee meeting held under the headship of its General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, and state unit chief and MLA BY Vijayendra chalked out plans to corner the government over the alleged scams.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy told South First: “During the core committee meeting, the party has woven a strategy to take on the government. The party’s decisions will be detailed to the MLAs and MLCs during the legislature meeting at Belagavi on 9 December.”

“We are fully prepared. We will raise important issues such as the MUDA scam involving the chief minister and his family, the Valmiki Corporation scam, corruption in the Excise Department, maternal deaths in Ballari, and other concerning issues,” Narayanaswamy said while adding that the Opposition will ensure the smooth proceedings of the House.

He further noted that the BJP would raise the incomplete irrigation projects in North Karnataka.

“The winter session is organised in Belagavi, mainly to discuss burning issues of Kittur and Kalyana Karnataka. We will highlight pending Mahadayi, Upper Krishna Project and other irrigation works in this region,” he added.

‘Not allocating grants’

Meanwhile, BJP’s Karnataka unit General Secretary and MLA Sunil Kumar Karkala told South First: “We are geared up to corner the ruling party for the next two weeks. The party will question the government on waqf and scams and about not allocating development grants for MLAs.”

“I have not received a single rupee for the development works since this government came to power. It’s not just my concern but also of the ruling party MLAs as well. The government’s financial condition appears to be weak. We are going to question the government on this. Importantly, the voice will also be raised on the MUDA scam,” he said.

“The state investigative agencies are all set to give clean chit to the Chief Minister and his family. Whereas the Enforcement Directorate’s probe tells a different story on the scam, confirming the involvement of the chief minister and his family in unlawfully getting 14 sites as compensation,” said the BJP MLA.

According to sources in the BJP Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka will move the adjournment motion on the Waqf row.

“However, Bijapur MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal is likely to lead the party on the Waqf row instead of the Opposition leader himself,” added sources.

“The leadership has decided to allow Yatnal to lead the Opposition on Waqf to take him and his faction into confidence. This might potentially quell the internal differences to show unity within the cadre for the time being,” claimed sources.

Also Read: BJP issues show cause to Yatnal amid Karnataka factional feud

Government rejects Opposition’s tactics

The Siddaramaiah government is fully prepared to face the Opposition by focusing on key issues, including those concerning North Karnataka.

The government has emphasised that there is no financial difficulty and dismissed the BJP’s accusations as baseless, highlighting their inconsistent stance on guarantee schemes.

The Congress government expressed readiness for constructive debates and discussions, particularly on crop losses and damages caused by recent rains. However, it has made it clear that if the Opposition chooses to politicise the session or raise settled or ongoing issues, it will not be tolerated.

“The winter session will begin in Belagavi and will continue for the next two weeks. We will address issues related to North Karnataka and also consider the matters raised by the Opposition in the house,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in Hubballi.

“There is no financial difficulty for the government. The BJP is spreading falsehoods. While they oppose the guarantee schemes here, they are implementing similar schemes in other states. The BJP lacks a clear stance and is misleading the public with baseless accusations against the government,” he said.

 

Even though the Opposition is geared up to corner the government over the alleged MUDA scam, Valmiki Corporation scam and corruption in the Excise Department, the ruling party has planned to retaliate by highlighting Justice Michael D’Cunha Committee report on the alleged misappropriation of funds in the Covid management, Bhovi Scam and internal differences within the BJP.

Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge, also the state government’s spokesperson, told South First: “If the Opposition is willing to debate and deliberate on the matter, we are ready. If they are going to constructively criticise the government, we are geared up to face it as well.”

“However, if you are going to politicise the session, it is a loss for the people. We always transparently run sessions, requesting for the Opposition’s cooperation. Let the people of North Karnataka expect that this session will address their problems,” added Kharge.

He further added: “We have also planned in such a way that we discuss more on crop loss and damages that occurred due to recent showers. We are ready to debate and discuss.”

“However, it is all left to the Opposition. We are ready to run the house and cover the flaws within their party. If they are going to bring issues that are before the court, under probe and already settled, they are just playing politics,” asserted Kharge.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)

Follow us