Members' absence irks K'taka Speaker

The on-going Budget Session of the Karnataka Assembly faced the wrath of Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa on Thursday. The Speaker was irked by the absence of members cutting across party line, who were busy watching semi-final match between India and Australia. The Speaker took strong exception over the empty chairs and said it was intended to hold the Session for 100 days but now even 60 days is also not possible.

The lawmakers were watching the World Cup match on the TV installed outside the House. Chief Whip, Ashok Pattan, even suggested that the Speaker should impose fine on the absentees.  looking at empty chairs in the front row of the Treasury Bench, the Speaker turned at Chief Whip for an answer. When he was told that the Ministers are in the Upper House.

However, Congress legislator Basavaraj Rayareddy was the saving grace for the ruling party and he defended the Budget. He said the planned expenditure was more than non-plan expenditure in last financial year. He rebuffed the allegations made by Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar and JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. While a discussion on Budget was underway inside the House, outside the House the MlAs were betting on the match.