Karnataka Legislative Assembly Passes Six Bills Amidst Opposition Protests

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed six bills on Thursday without any discussion, despite protests from the BJP and JD(S). The bills cover a range of issues including reservations for SC/ST and other backward classes, legal status for the Revenue Commissionerate, protection of historical monuments, development of parks, and more.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed six bills on Thursday amidst a clamor of protests from the opposition BJP and JD(S). The opposition demanded a debate on alleged fraudulent allotments of sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, including allotments to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi.

Among the bills was the Karnataka Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes Reservation Amendment Bill, 2024. This bill aims to provide reservations for SC/ST and other backward classes, enhancing employment opportunities in various government sectors. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, who piloted the bill, stated it is aimed at ensuring social justice and constitutional rights in outsourcing.

Additionally, the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed to give legal status to the Revenue Commissioner and Revenue Commissionerate. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda asserted that this was a necessary legal provision. The assembly also approved the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Amendment Bill, 2024, aimed at protecting monuments by empanelling various interested organizations and individuals as 'Smaraka Mitras'.

Furthermore, the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Amendment Bill, 2024, was passed to facilitate the development of the Upper Terminal Point under the Nandi Hills Ropeway project via a public-private partnership model. The assembly also approved the Sri Renuka Yellamma Temple Development Authority Bill, 2024, and the Karnataka Medical Registration and Certain Other Law Amendment Bill, 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)