Bengaluru: The State Assembly on Friday adopted the Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Heritage Area Development Authority Bill, 2018, to take up conservation and development of heritage areas, tourism places and monuments related to Bengaluru’s founder Kempe Gowda.
The Bill was adopted without discussion amidst dharna by Opposition members, who were protesting against what they called misuse of opportunity for replying to the debate on budget to politically target BJP.
Amidst the commotion, the Assembly also adopted the Jagath University Bill seeking to establish a private university by the Lord Udupi Krishna Educational Trust. The other Bills include the Banavasi Development Authority Bill for establishment of an authority for development and maintenance of heritage area in and around Banavasi in Sirsi taluk of Uttara Kannada. The Karnataka Appropriation Bill and Karnataka Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments (Amendment) Bill was also adopted.
Seven Bills passed in Council
It was also a hurried day for the Legislative Council before it was adjourned sine die. Seven Bills, passed in the Assembly, were passed by the Council without discussion in half an hour.
While the Council passed 15 Bills during this budget session, 11 Bills were passed on Friday, of which 7 were passed minutes before the Council was adjourned. The Council passed four Bills in the morning session.
While JD(S) member K.T. Srikante Gowda took objection to the number of Bills presented and passed in the Council, chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy initially did not allow Bills to be placed. However, after the Ministers persuaded him, he gave in. Among the last minute Bills to be passed included Bengaluru Dr. B.R. Amebdakar University for Economics Bill, Amity University Bill, and Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Amendment Bill.
