The Karnataka Cabinet on Wednesday (January 14) decided to convene a joint session of the state legislature from January 22 to 31, with a primary focus on the Narendra Modi government’s move to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the last winter session in December.
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While the Congress government initially planned a two-day special session to discuss the repeal of MGNREGA, which the Centre replaced with Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB- G RAM G), state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil explained that the format was changed due to constitutional requirements.
Why a joint session?
Briefing reporters, Patil said due to a technical reason, the government is convening a joint session and not a special session.
“The joint session (of the Karnataka Legislature) will be held from January 22 to 31. Holidays will be announced by the Speaker.” Quoting Article 176 of the Constitution, he said the governor must address the first session of the state legislature each year.
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“In view of this technical reason, in fact, we are advancing the session. Instead of a special session, it will be a joint session.”
The minister emphasised that the state would not remain idle if the rights of the people are “snatched”.
According to him, the session aims to create awareness and exert appropriate pressure on the Centre to restore the older rural job scheme.
Opposition BJP slams govt
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, alleged that the state government has convened the joint session with a “malafide intention” and called it a “sheer waste of money”.
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Addressing a press conference, he said, “A session is always convened to make laws, discuss law and order, but what is this session convened for? Is it to utter gibberish in the House? There is no use for this session.”
The BJP leader said the resolution passed in the Assembly will only be consigned to the dustbin as it has no value.
(With agency inputs)
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