Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has been appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to a high-level committee tasked with reviewing the powers of the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The four-member national committee is chaired by Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar, and has three other members: Odisha Speaker Surama Padhy, Karnataka Speaker U.T. Khader, and Nagaland Speaker Sharingain Longkumer.
The committee will examine the interpretation of the Tenth Schedule, particularly concerning the powers of the Speaker in matters of legislative discipline and anti-defection laws.
The appointment of the four-time MLA from Mangaluru (Ullal) constituency comes at a time when he is under scrutiny from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the suspension of its 18 MLAs. The legislators were suspended for six months on March 21, following a ruckus in the Assembly during discussions on allegations of honey-trapping legislators and the passage of legislation extending reservation benefits to Muslims in government tenders below Rs 2 crore.
The suspended MLAs were accused of climbing up to the Speaker’s chair, tearing copies of the Bills, and hurling them at him. In response to the suspensions, a delegation of BJP legislators, led by Leader of Opposition R Ashok petitioned the Speaker seeking revocation of the suspension order. They also cited a Supreme Court ruling in a similar case in Maharashtra, where the suspension of MLAs was deemed "irrational and illogical." After Khader failed to clarify on revocation, the BJP leaders approached Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and are now planning to petition the Supreme Court.
Gehlot too urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Speaker to reconsider the suspension underlining the importance of elected representatives resuming their legislative duties at the earliest.
Khader defended his decision stating that the action was “necessary” to uphold democratic values and maintain the dignity of the legislature.
Bengaluru to host 11th CPA conference from Sept 8 to 10
Bengaluru will host the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference from September 8 to 10.
The conference to be hosted by the CPA, which comprises 180 branches worldwide, will see 300-350 delegates including Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Assemblies, Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Legislative Councils, Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as secretaries of state legislatures, deliberating on critical issues that impact the legislative assemblies and exploring ways to strengthen democratic institutions in India.
It will serve as a platform for legislative leaders to share best practices and reinforce the values of parliamentary democracy across the Commonwealth.
The inaugural ceremony, to be held on the iconic steps of the Vidhana Soudha on September 8, will be graced by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and other dignitaries.
The Karnataka Secretariat is also planning a post-conference tour on September 11 for the delegates and prominent tourist destinations including Mysuru, Mangaluru, and the Belur-Halebid temples are under consideration.
It may be recalled that the 10th CPA India Region Conference took place in New Delhi last September under the theme “The Role of Legislative Bodies in the Attainment of Sustainable and Inclusive Development.”
