The move comes in the wake of criticism of declining number of meetings, low attendance of MLAs, frequent disruptions and poor quality of debates.
In 2012, the 225-member assembly made it mandatory to conduct business for at least 60 days in a year. However, sessions have been held at a record low of less than 45 days in the past few years and 32 days in 2021.
“We will hold a long legislature session, starting with a joint session in January followed by the budget in February-March. We will try to extend the days for the next winter session also to ensure that the MLAs get adequate time and opportunity to express grievances,” Bommai told the assembly.
Several legislators expressed concern over the frequent disruptions across party lines, the deteriorating quality of debate and poor turnout of legislators, which has been an issue especially during the recent legislature sessions. “There is a perception of the people that many MLAs are not participating enthusiastically in the debate and some even think that the use of words and the quality of the debate is deteriorating over the years. This is not done. If we do not exercise these powers and privileges, we are only ourselves to blame. We need to keep the traditions alive to save democratic institutions,” the speaker said. Vishweshwar Hegde Kagerik, Kageri also expressed displeasure over the members not obeying their orders and taking more time than necessary in debating the issues.
Senior MLAs including former Chief Ministers BS Yediyurappa, HD Kumaraswamy, Law Minister JC Madhuswamy, former Speaker shared the pain. KR Ramesh Kumar, senior Congress MLA R Ramalinga Reddy and JD(S) MLA H.D. Revanna,
Yediyurappa said it is the speaker’s duty to fix the time based on the importance of the subject and ensure that the members stick to it. Responding to this, Kageri sought to know why senior party functionaries do not come to his rescue when MLAs of his party create disorder in the House.
Congress MLA and former Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Krishna Byre Gowda Urged the government to extend the time limit for the upcoming sessions to ensure that each MLA gets enough time to speak about the issues of his constituency.
“Members are under pressure from the people of their constituency, which are important for their political existence, they have to compulsorily raise many issues in the House. However, if time is limited then they will either decide not to attend the assembly or speak out of turn,” said Gowda.
Revanna suggested to the Speaker and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs sit down To provide time to each party based on its strength, as is the case in Parliament, and to ensure that the issue is debated within that time.
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